Despite KKB win, many still unhappy with govt, says Umno man

Many Kuala Kubu Baharu voters backed Pakatan Harapan (PH) at the polls because they had no better choice.

(FMT) – Puad Zarkashi agrees with DAP’s Ong Kian Ming that the by-election victory cannot be interpreted as a vote of confidence for Putrajaya.

Despite the unity government’s win in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election last weekend, many Malaysians are still unhappy with its performance so far, says Umno leader Puad Zarkashi.

The Umno Supreme Council member agreed with DAP’s Ong Kian Ming that the by-election victory could not be interpreted as a vote of confidence, saying many Kuala Kubu Baharu voters backed Pakatan Harapan (PH) at the polls because they had no better choice.

Puad said the reality was that many were unsatisfied with the government’s performance and achievements.

“The people in Kuala Kubu Baharu had no choice. They still voted for the unity government’s candidate as they want stability and to give more time for the government of the day to prove itself.

“Therefore, the unity government cannot be careless or self-conceited. It must work harder and fulfil the promises it has made,” he told FMT.

Ong, DAP’s former Bangi MP, had cautioned against overinterpreting the by-election result, saying dissatisfaction with the government was “real and growing” among various segments of society.

PH’s Pang Sock Tao won the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election on May 11, defending the seat for DAP for a fourth consecutive term.

Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said PH had captured six of the eight Malay-majority electoral districts in Kuala Kubu Baharu previously won by Perikatan Nasional in last year’s state election.

Asyraf said this proved that Malay voters had changed their attitude and now understood that the unity government formed under the decree of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong did not sideline Islam or Malay-Bumiputeras.

However, Ong cautioned Umno against believing that the Malay vote was turning in its favour, saying the Barisan Nasional lynchpin lacked a coherent game plan on how to win back the community.