KUALA KUBU BAHARU – Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reaffirmed his party’s support for the unity government’s candidate in the upcoming Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election during a recent meeting with his MCA counterpart, Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong.
Zahid said that he met with the MCA president following the Barisan Nasional component party’s decision not to campaign for the Pakatan Harapan candidate.
He added that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would also convene on the matter later.
“I understand MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong’s statement. I’ve held discussions with them (MCA), and the prime minister will also hold talks later,” he told a press conference after officiating the joint meeting of the Hulu Selangor Umno division here today.
Earlier, MCA declared that they would refrain from campaigning in the Kuala Kubu Baharu state assembly by-election if a BN candidate was not nominated.
This declaration came two days after MIC, another BN component party, hinted at not participating in the by-election.
However, the prime minister rebutted MIC’s claim that it was not assisting the PH campaign, saying that he had met with the MIC president, Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran.
“MIC president Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran reached out to me, affirming their commitment to assist in Kuala Kubu Baharu. The reports claiming that (his party) will not provide its cooperation are untrue,” he clarified.
Meanwhile, Zahid stressed the importance of political harmony within each party, whether at the state or central levels.
“This sort of issue needs resolution. It will facilitate the prime minister, as the chairman of the unity government, to find common ground; any differences will be addressed in the best possible manner,” he said.
The by-election is scheduled following the death of the incumbent, Lee Kee Hiong, from DAP on March 21.
The polling date is set for May 11, with nomination day on April 27 and early voting on May 7. – April 21, 2024