WHILE the outcome of the Sungai Kandis by-election may not change Selangor’s political landscape, battles lines are beginning to show what to expect over the next few years.

As Barisan Nasional continues to focus on racial and religious issues, Pakatan Harapan has taken the opposite stand, championing a united Malaysia.

Bersatu deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir started the ball rolling when he said the “other side” has yet to realise the error of its ways.

“Whether it’s inside or outside Parliament, they still raise racial and religious issues.

“This is not something that should be touched on, as we want to preserve the harmony that we already have,” he said at a PKR ceramah in Taman Sri Andalas, Klang, last night.

Mukhriz, who is also Kedah menteri besar, said his view, too, was “clouded” when he was in Umno.

“I am a former Kedah chief and Supreme Council member. But after I began working with the (then) opposition and witnessed the people’s desire for change, I saw something that had been hidden from me.

“I knew then that racial politics is something that cannot be practised in this country.”

He urged the 150-odd crowd to choose the side that represents all races.

“Pick the one that fights for all. Vote for the one that will preserve peace and development for all so that nobody is left behind, and reject the racial rhetoric of the other side.”

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar said letting the BN candidate win in Sungai Kandis would send the wrong message.

“Instead of talking about development or the changes it wants to bring, (BN) is only interested in raising tension over racial and religious issues,” said the former Seri Andalas assemblyman.

The 51,300-voter Sungai Kandis seat, formerly known as Seri Andalas, fell vacant after assemblyman Mat Shuhaimi Shafiei died on July 2.

The by-election, the first after the 14th general election, will see a three-way fight between PKR’s Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni, Umno’s Lokman Noor Adam and independent candidate K. Murthy.

Polling day has been set for August 4.

Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari said PH has done more for Malays in the state without needing to raise racial and religious issues.

“Take Malay reserve land, for instance. Since PH won Selangor, not one inch of Malay reserve land has been lost.

“And when Malay reserve land is converted, the value of the replacement land must not be too far off from the original.”

The Sungai Tua assemblyman said Malay reserve land in the state is now more than 30%.

Among the other speakers at the ceramah were Zawawi, and Foreign Minister and PH secretary general Saifuddin Abdullah. – July 25, 2018.