PN won’t be able to attract sizable non-Malay support, says Zaid

Zaid Ibrahim said it is challenging for Perikatan Nasional to gain a foothold among Chinese voters.

PETALING JAYA: Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim said while Perikatan Nasional could mount a credible campaign in the run-up to the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, it will not be able to attract sizeable non-Malay support.

Zaid, a former PKR and DAP member, said PN should refrain from displaying “extreme tendencies” or making fiery speeches.

PN must also present itself as a responsible party ready to take over the reins of government, he said.

“But there lies the problem. PN will not be able to attract sizable non-Malay support.

“It’s challenging for the party to gain a foothold among Chinese voters,” he said on X.

Zaid said while former Selangor menteri besar Azmin Ali’s popularity would help in swaying non-Malays to PN’s fold, he has to convince the Chinese and Indian voters that their leaders will hold critical portfolios if they can take on Selangor.

Meanwhile, he said, Pakatan Harapan would be able to retain the state seat, which it held for three terms, if the coalition could accomplish several things.

These included equal development allocation for opposition MPs and assemblymen, as well as addressing the issue of the “supplementary order”, which allegedly allows former prime minister Najib Razak to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.

“If the above are fulfilled, then PH will be the favourite to retain Kuala Kubu (Baharu),” he said.

Zaid also defended DAP’s decision to name Pang Sock Tao as its candidate for the May 11 polls, saying she was the right choice despite some analysts describing her as a risky candidate.

Tonight, PN named Bersatu’s Hulu Selangor acting chief, Khairul Azhari Saut, as its candidate.

The by-election was called after the seat fell vacant following the death of DAP’s three-term assemblyman, Lee Kee Hiong, from cancer.