[UPDATED] Muda-PSM will sit out Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election

KELANA JAYA – The Muda and Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) pact has announced they are sitting out the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, a day before the nomination process tomorrow.

However, acting Muda president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz said they will provide checks and balances for voters during the election campaign.

She said she will be sending Selangor Muda deputy chief Dr Siva Prakash and party member Irfan Rendrawan.

Siva was criticised for his tweets following the death of Kuala Kubu Baharu incumbent Lee Kee Hiong of DAP on March 21. He also lost the race for the same seat in the state election last year. 

“The decision to sit out of the by-election was made after a series of discussions between the two parties.

“We want to enable voters in Kuala Kubu Baharu to exercise their rights to vote and submit a strong referendum on the Madani government’s performance,” she said in a press conference at Muda headquarters here, which was also attended by PSM deputy chairman S. Arutchelvan. 

“Despite not sending candidates to contest, we urge parties and candidates to not fan racial sentiments during campaigning. We are not blaming the unity government or Perikatan Nasional, but we leave it to the people to make their choice.”

Perikatan Nasional (PN) is fielding Hulu Selangor Bersatu acting chief Khairul Azhari Saut, 54, while Pakatan Harapan is putting up DAP’s Pang Sock Tao.

Kuala Kubu Baharu, a former MCA stronghold, has been a DAP seat for the last three elections since 2013, when Lee won it by beating her rival from the BN component party by more than 1,700 votes. 

Lee defended the seat in the 2018 general election, again beating the closest contender, MCA, by 7,134 votes.  

Nomination day is tomorrow, while polling day is on May 11. – April 26, 2024