PERIKATAN Nasional (PN) is hoping that supporters of MCA and MIC will switch their support to its candidate in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election following the decision of the two parties to boycott the polls, said Selangor PN secretary Dr Afif Bahardin.

“We hope the traditional MCA and MIC voters will shift their support to PN,” he was quoted as saying in the New Straits Times today.

He was referring to announcements by both the Barisan Nasional coalition partners not to support any non-BN candidate in the May 11 by-election.

MCA especially is disappointed that BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had made the unilateral decision to stay out of the polls and to support Pakatan Harapan (PH).

DAP from PH will be contesting to retain the seat.

As for Perikatan, Gerakan has openly sought to contest in the seat like it had done in the state elections last year. Bersatu also has expressed its interest to contest. The pact is expected to announce its decision tomorrow on its candidate.

“We appreciate MCA and MIC’s honesty (about not wanting to help non-BN candidates),” Dr Afif said.

“To us, it is an advantage because it shows the lack of unity in the unity government.

“We hope we can garner more votes from the Chinese and Indian communities to add to the support we already enjoy from the Malay community,” he added.

He said that MCA and MIC have a strong presence in KKB, which used to be a traditional MCA seat.

On Saturday, BN deputy chairman Mohamad Hasan said the coalition’s component parties must help candidates representing the unity government in the by-election.

The by-election was triggered by the death of three-term assemblyman Lee Kee Hiong of DAP.

Former minister Zaid Ibrahim said it was wrong for MCA and MIC to stay away from the KKB polls.

He said these two parties could provide BN a new voice in addressing numerous issues, including racial polarization.

“It is a pity that MCA and MIC have decided not to participate in Kuala Kubu Baharu,” he said in a post on X.

“The country needs a new BN voice but the leaders of MCA and MIC do not see the need to fill the vacuum in the nation’s politics.

“You do not do that by staying away from Kuala Kubu Baharu,” he said. – April 21, 2024.