KUALA LUMPUR: Pakatan Harapan Pang Sock Tao has won Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) with a convincing majority which reflects that voter's trend is still with the party.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said Pang has managed to retain votes in areas that they have won prior and attract more voters from other areas.
He said Pang had also won with a more than 3,800 majority, defying the predictions of political analysts who predicted that she'd win with less than 1,000 majority.
"We also saw an increase in votes among the Orang Asli community and early voters, especially among police and military personnel. Overall, we received support from various ethnicities and communities, delivering a sweet victory to the unity government.
"I would like to express appreciation and gratitude to all parties within the unity government because this time, there was a sense of togetherness in our campaign, which was quite good.
"The more than 3,800 majority is a comfortable win for us because it proves that the trend of voters in KKB remains with PH, and we also gained a slight increase in several areas," he said to reporters after attending the PKR 25th anniversary celebration.
He also expressed his appreciation to Cabinet members, ministers, leaders, and component party leaders who had come down to provide solid support towards Pang.
"Overall, I am very satisfied with the campaign. This demonstrates a new strength for the unity government," he said.
"The collaboration of the Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional, and GPS machineries, working together to provide assistance, deserves special mention," he added.
Pang had won the KKB by-election with a 14,000 vote, defeating Perikatan Nasional's Khairul Azhari Saut with a 3,869 majority.
Loke added that their election campaign methods to have targeted ceramah instead of mega ceramah has proven to be successful.
He advised Pang to remain humble, start her work as an assemblyman immediately, give her best and to always foster the relationship between communities.
"There are a lot of agendas that need to be done. In this election campaign, Pang not only serves as a representative, but also someone who bridges the state government with the people.
"Many government assistance and policy initiatives must be channelled to the local residents. Another agenda is to develop the local economy, particularly by promoting ecotourism in KKB.
"It's a significant agenda that she needs to address as the assemblyman," he said.
Commenting on the 61.51 per vent voter turnout, Loke said he is still satisfied with the number.
"I'm satisfied that it exceeded the 60 per cent mark, just a slight decrease from the 69 per cent in the state elections.
"It is not something out of the ordinary as it is normal for people to not go back to their hometowns for by-elections," he said.
