The Indian community could play a decisive role in the coming Kuala Kubu Baru (KKB) by-election this weekend. With expectation the low turnout among Malay voters, according to observers. Indian community can be a game-changer in the outcome of KKP polls.
The Straits Times news portal reported that the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition is focusing its efforts on the 7,200 Indian voters in the Malay-majority constituency of KKB, They are aware that to get any support from the Chinese.
The Campain Strategy
The campaign strategy from PN is directed towards targeting the Indians to support them. Since they can’t get the Chinese vote, PN is putting efforts to persuade Indians to vote for them, hoping for a simple majority.
According to Professor Kartini Aboo Talib from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Institute of Ethnic Studies, the Indian community is the kingmaker in the KKB by-election.”
In the semi-urban constituency in Selangor, Malays make up approximately 49.6 per cent of the voting roll, while the Chinese make up around 30.6 per cent, Indians 18 per cent of the voters and other races makeup 2.1 per cent of roughly 40,000 voters.
Conventionally, Pakatan Harapan tends to appeal to the ethnic Chinese, Indians and progressive urban Malays, while PN typically has a stronger support of Malay following.
Although Malays constitute a significant portion of the voting base in KKB, PN is worried about low voter turnout on its chances of winning. Kartini predicts around 60 per cent to 65 per cent turnout would affect its chances of winning.
The reports
The report said that Indian support for PH has been declining because many have the perception that they have been taken for granted by the ruling government and that their needs are not being met.
Voters seemed disappointed about a few things. They’re not happy with the increasing cost of living, the weakened economy due to the depreciation of the ringgit, and the slow progress of promised institutional reforms.
This is the third election for KKB in three years, the 2022 General Election, the 2023 Selangor state election, and now this time election set off by the unfortunate passing of PH incumbent Lee Kee Hiong in March.