BATANG KALI: Perikatan Nasional (PN) will field Bersatu Hulu Selangor acting division chief Khairul Azhari Saut for the Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) by-election scheduled to take place on May 11.
The announcement was made by PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at a ceremony at the Batang Kali PN main operation centre, here, tonight, following a PN leadership council meeting on Monday.
Separately, in a press conference, Muhyiddin said Khairul was fielded after careful consideration of his character, values and considering the fact that he is a local at KKB.
This also includes an intensive vetting with the police, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and Inland Revenue Board and the Insolvency Department.
"We know that the country is facing many issues including economical issues among others.
Taking into account all these factors, along with the opinions of our local residents, we have decided to field a local who has been here for a long time, known by many, and is matured to effectively serve as a representative of the people," he said.
He added that PN will unveil its manifesto at a later date.
"We know the issues faced by the rakyat based on the experience of Datuk Seri Azmin Ali as the former menteri besar.
"Truly, if we win, we won't be the government. We are the opposition but the duty of the opposition is important to voice out the issues of the people including economical issues, education, welfare, infrastructure and others," he said.
At the same press conference, Khairul said his focus now is to ensure that PN would win the election.
"For now, I am focusing on ensuring that PN wins the KKB seat," he said briefly.
He had declined to comment on his opposition, DAP's Pang Sock Tao.
Also in attendance was PN election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, Gerakan president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau, PN Selangor chief Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and Malaysian Indian People's Party (MIPP) president P. Punithan.
The Election Commission (EC) has fixed May 11 for the KKB by-election following the death of incumbent assemblyman Lee Kee Hiong.
Nomination is set for April 27, with early voting on May 7.
KKB is a mixed seat, with Malays comprising 50 per cent of the electorate, followed by Chinese (30 per cent) and Indians (18 per cent).
The state seat has been represented by an ethnic Chinese assemblyman since 2004.
In the Selangor state election last year, Lee helped DAP to retain Kuala Kubu Baharu after she polled a majority of 4,119 votes in a four-cornered fight at the state seat.
