Friction over candidate threatening PH’s KKB campaign

PKR’s lukewarm participation risks Pang Sock Tao’s prospects of winning the Malay vote, says a source.

(FMT) – PKR is said to be dragging its feet in the campaign for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, believed to be over a lack of funds for its machinery.

A PKR leader who did not wish to be named said the state chapter was not channelling funds to the election machinery due to friction over the choice of candidate.

“Our party suggested that Pakatan Harapan (PH) field a Malay candidate, but DAP told us not to get involved.

“They said: ‘It is our seat, so don’t interfere’,” the source told FMT.

DAP’s alleged response was said to have left Selangor PKR leaders red-faced, and they have “retaliated” by not allocating any funds.

“This is why in some areas, the machinery isn’t moving.”

Selangor PH deputy chairman Borhan Aman Shah previously pushed for the coalition to field a Malay candidate, citing the high percentage of Malay voters in Kuala Kubu Baharu and the “current political situation”.

Kuala Kubu Baharu is a mixed seat with an even split between the percentage of Malay and non-Malay voters.

PH eventually named Pang Sock Tao as its candidate, while Perikatan Nasional has fielded Hulu Selangor Bersatu acting chief Khairul Azhari Saut.

The source said that although DAP had the funds, the party did not have a proper machinery to run the campaign.

He said PKR’s lukewarm participation was threatening Pang’s prospects of winning the Malay vote.

“She can only count on Indian and Chinese votes. In PH, only PKR can help bring in the Malay votes.”

Pang and Khairul are involved in a four-cornered fight for the seat, alongside Parti Rakyat Malaysia’s Hafizah Zainuddin and independent candidate Nyau Ke Xin.

The seat fell vacant after three-term assemblyman Lee Kee Hiong of DAP died on March 21. Polling is fixed for May 11.