KKB by-election: Malay votes the key to PN’s victory - Pas

Samsuri (centre) presenting the speech address to the Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin during the opening ceremony of the second session of the 15th State Assembly at Wisma Darul Iman in Kuala Terengganu on Monday.

KUALA TERENGGANU – Malay votes are the key determinant of Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) victory in the upcoming Kuala Kubu Baharu state assembly by-election.

Pas Deputy President Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar stressed that this aspect needed to be emphasised by the party’s machinery throughout the campaign period.

He stated that Pas would mobilise its members as much as possible to assist the candidate’s campaign to ensure PN’s victory.

“I believe that if this can be maximised and if the maximum vote from the Malay community is obtained, I think that will be a significant factor in achieving victory,” he said.

He made these remarks when approached by reporters after the opening ceremony of the second session of the 15th Terengganu State Assembly at Wisma Darul Iman here on Monday.

Samsuri said that Pas was open to accepting anyone as the PN candidate for the by-election.

“Of course, Pas will mobilise its machinery because it will be the PN that will be contesting. It will be decided by the leadership at a special PN meeting this afternoon, regardless of which party the candidate comes from.

“The meeting will be held in Kuala Lumpur to discuss in detail the selection of the candidate.

“However, I am not sure whether the meeting will directly announce the candidate’s name or whether there will be another declaration ceremony to announce it… depending on the decision of this evening’s meeting,” he said.

Asked about PN’s confidence in winning the by-election, Samsuri said that based on current data and responses, victory is leaning towards PN so far.

“Our attitude studies conducted for PN itself and studies from external parties including the Merdeka Centre also indicate that the popularity of the state government in Selangor and the federal government has declined somewhat.

“This is a plus point for PN’s position to nominate the best individual in the upcoming Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election,” he said.

The Election Commission (EC) has set the Kuala Kubu Baharu State Assembly by-election for May 11, with April 27 as the nomination day.

Early polling day had been set for May 7 with a campaign period of 14 days.

The Kuala Kubu Baharu State Assembly by-election is being held following the death of its incumbent Lee Kee Hiong on March 21.