Slow warm-up for DAP's campaign in KKB

 

KKB BY-ELECTION | The by-election campaign in Kuala Kubu Baharu entered its sixth day today with DAP appearing to be slow to warm up. It was not until yesterday evening that its third ceramah was held.

Despite Wednesday being a public holiday for Labour Day, DAP only had a ceramah kelompok (small-size ceramah) at night.

Balakong assemblyperson Ong Chun Wei, now on the campaign trail in Kuala Kubu Baharu, confirmed to Malaysiakini this morning that DAP has only had three ceramah kelompok to date.

DAP’s ceramah last night was held at a Chinese temple with nearly 100 people in attendance. Tables, chairs, and refreshments were provided on-site.

In contrast, Perikatan Nasional held a large-scale ceramah perdana in Malay-majority Batang Kali on the same evening, which saw nearly 400 people attending it.

The speakers at the DAP ceramah yesterday included Pakatan Harapan candidate Pang Sock Tao, DAP vice-chairperson Teresa Kok, DAP national organising secretary Steven Sim, Bandar Utama assemblyperson Jamaliah Jamaluddin, Seri Kembangan assemblyperson Wong Siew Ki, Sungai Pelek assemblyperson Lwi Kian Keong, and Subang Jaya assemblyperson Michelle Ng.

Gobind Singh Deo and Anthony Loke campaign for Harapan candidate Pang Sock Tao

‘Don’t pave the way for extremists to enter’

Sim during his speech called on the Chinese community to preserve the “flame of diversity”.

“Hulu Selangor and the two state seats under it already belong to PN. Only Kuala Kubu Baharu represents our flame of diversity. So we must not let the democratic diversity of Kuala Kubu Baharu be extinguished. Don’t you all agree?

“Let me reiterate what Teresa Kok said earlier - don’t pave the way for extremists to enter Kuala Kubu Baharu, okay?”

Sim also brought up the issue of the PAS attacking Pang’s vernacular education background.

“Aren’t Chinese school students Malaysian citizens? Aren’t they? Aren’t we Chinese Malaysians legitimate citizens?”

Kuala Kubu Baharu is a semi-urban constituency with a voter breakdown of Malay (46 percent), Chinese (30 percent), Indian (18 percent), and others (six percent).

During the first four days of campaigning, Harapan focused its efforts on visitations during the day. There were no public campaign activities held in the evening.

Pang Sock Tao visits Orang Asli voters

DAP secretary-general and Transport Minister Anthony Loke took time yesterday to assist in the campaign in Kuala Kubu Baharu.

While the original schedule was to campaign in Ampang Pecah, he made a last-minute change to visit Kuala Kubu Baharu’s business district.

House-to-house visits at night

Loke later clarified that there were campaign activities taking place in the evenings. He added that sometimes the media were not invited to cover the events.

“Actually campaigning continues in the evening. It’s just that sometimes there are no media invitations sent out. This is because the team usually conducts house-to-house visits or has ceramah kelompok in the evening,” he said.

In past national elections, DAP was known for its fervour in campaigning, with its particularly creative campaign materials and ceramah. Its fundraising also often set new records.

However, during last year’s state election, attendance at DAP’s ceramah was not as strong as before.

Last Saturday, the Selangor state government held a Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration in Kuala Kubu Baharu, with Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari in attendance. The event attracted nearly 10,000 people.

To avoid allegations of election law violation, Amirudin’s speech that night merely highlighted the achievements of the state government and did not use the opportunity to campaign for Pang.

The distribution of duit raya was also cancelled. Pang did not attend the event either.

Different campaign methods

Loke during a press conference yesterday stated that due to Kuala Kubu Baharu being far from urban areas, campaigning methods differed from those in cities.

“So indeed, the campaign methods differ a bit in rural areas. In urban areas, ceramah are held every night, but in rural areas like this one, we don’t adopt the same approach.

“However, small-group ceramah are held here because not all voters gather in one place; they are spread out in many different locations.”

Nevertheless, Loke confirmed that the Harapan coalition will hold a large-scale ceramah this Friday.

According to promotional posters, the event will take place in Batang Kali. It is expected that prominent figures such as Amirudin and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu will be attending it.

Kuala Kubu Baharu voters will cast their ballots on May 11. - Mkini