KUALA KUBU BAHARU – Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) candidate for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, Khairul Azhari Saut, seems like a nice individual but it is still too soon to make a decision, locals say.
Khairul paid a visit to Pekan Rasa, a small township in Kuala Kubu Baharu, yesterday. The predominantly Chinese population was uncharted territory for him.
His visit on a Sunday evening did not deter his spirit to engage in conversations with the locals here, despite shuttered shops and a quieter atmosphere in the area.
A traditional medicine store owner who wished to remain anonymous said that Khairul could potentially serve the constituency but said it is hard to make a decision based on a brief interaction with the candidate.
“I did speak to him, but it was for too short a period; how can I draw (a conclusion)?” he told Scoop.
“He did seem nice. Maybe he could (contribute to Kuala Kubu Baharu), but it is still too soon.”
He also said that he had never met Khairul before or had known about his previous works here.
Similarly, a convenience store owner also deduced that Khairul is a nice individual and courteous from his short conversation with the politician.
However, when queried about potential contributions Khairul could offer for Kuala Kubu Baharu, the store owner merely shrugged.
In the state elections of 2023, 75% of the Pekan Rasa electorate voted for Pakatan Harapan (PH), while PN received just under 17% of the total votes.
PN opted to field Khairul as he is a “local boy,” having studied at SK Felda Sungai Tengi and SMK Felda Soeharto in Hulu Selangor.
Polling for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election is scheduled to take place on May 11, while early voting is set for May 7.
The seat was vacated following assemblywoman Lee Kee Hiong’s death last month due to ovarian cancer. She has held the state seat for DAP since 2013, and was praised for her contributions here.
The election will see a four-cornered fight between Pang Sock Tao (PH), Khairul (PN), Hafizah Zainudin (Parti Rakyat Malaysia), and Nyau Ke Xin (independent). – April 29, 2024