DAP would appreciate MCA’s assistance in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election campaign, but it does not matter if the ethnic Chinese party opted to stay away, said Anthony Loke.

The DAP secretary-general said the KKB by-election was not about “persuading political parties” but convincing the voters.

“The most important thing is to persuade the voters, not any political party.

“This election is not about parties. It’s about the people. Those who come to help are highly appreciated, and for those who don’t, it’s okay. There’s no problem.

“If they feel they can’t help, it’s their right,” he was quoted telling reporters in KKB today.

The transport minister noted there is good cooperation between members of the unity government, especially with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who attended the nomination this morning in solidarity with the DAP’s candidate.

Several MCA leaders have said they will not campaign for the DAP candidate because of the insults the party leaders have levelled at the Chinese party.

Separately PH secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said MCA’s decision not to campaign for DAP in the by-election was not an issue.

MCA remains as a component in the Unity government, in Barisan Nasional, so there should not be a question about what will happen without MCA?” he told reporters after launching the Crime Prevention Carnival here today.

“When I chaired a meeting between Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional last week at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre (PWTC), MCA’s representative Datuk Lawrence Low (MCA vice-president) attended.

“So I see their attendance as a symbol of their willingness to cooperate. I view this in a positive light,” he said at a function in the capital today.

The  Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election is a four-cornered battle waged by Pakatan Harapan (PH), Perikatan Nasional (PN), Parti Rakyat Malaysia, and an Independent.

The candidates are: Khairul Azhari Saut (PN), Pang Sock Tao (PH), Hafizah Zainudin (PRM), and Nyau Ke Xin (Independent).

DAP has held the seat since 2013.

The May 11 by-election was triggered by the death of three-term assemblyman Lee Kiong Hiong of DAP.

Early voting is on May 7.

KKB is a mixed seat that is 50% Malay, 30% Chinese, and 18% Indian.

In the Selangor elections last year, Lee retained the seat with a 4,119 majority after a four-cornered fight. – 27 April, 2024.