Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election: Concerns for DAP, PH and BN

The date for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election has been confirmed by the Election Commission – 11 May.

DAP – the incumbent party for this state seat would be announcing its candidate today.

While the seat appears to be a stronghold for the Pakatan Harapan component, recent developments may dent the vote bank in this mixed seat constituency.

The racial breakdown of Kuala Kubu Baharu during the state polls shows that Malays made up 46.4 percent of the electorate.

The Chinese are 30.7 percent and Indians, 18 percent, of the electorate. The balance are from the Orang Asli community.

This seat is one of the three state seats that make up Hulu Selangor parliamentary seat. The other two state seats and the parliament seat are held by the opposition.

Hence it is vital for the DAP to deny the monopoly of Perikatan Nasional in Hulu Selangor.

This by-election is happening in a situation where the Malay votes are not solid with PH and BN.

Hence it is absolutely vital to optimise the non-Malay votes.

Concerns of the non-Malays

Columnist Tay Tian Yan of Sin Chew Daily aptly questioned whether Kuala Kubu Baharu would be a second Tanjung Piai?

Tanjung Piai is a MCA stronghold that fell to Bersatu during the general elections in 2018 when Bersatu was part of Pakatan Harapan.

Tay pointed out that DAP has been silent regarding the KK Mart controversy.

The issue is vital for the business community.

The columnist pointed out that the voters have options, including opting to stay home instead of voting.

On the other hand, there are calls by certain quarters to boycott the by-election as a sign of protest as they claim that the Indian electorate have been sidelined by the Madani government.

The fund allocation for the Malaysian Indian Transformation unit (Mitra) is also an issue that needs to be clarified to the Indian community.

Address the concerns

The DAP machinery needs to explain to the Chinese voters on the efforts undertaken to resolve the controversy related to KK Mart.

This must be done so that the bulk of Chinese community come out to vote in droves.

As for the issues surrounding the Indian community, it is absolutely vital for the PKR Indian leaders who are involved in Mitra to hit the campaign trail and assist the DAP.

A total of 18 percent of the voters is definitely not a small number and can be a king maker under certain circumstances.

Hence PH as well as BN need to hit the ground running.