HULU SELANGOR: Resolving issues related to the cost of living and development are two central themes that have become the by-election mantra of the candidates in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election as the campaign heats up in the final week before polling day.

For Perikatan Nasional, the opposition coalition will be focusing on cost of living and economic issues, as they resonate well with the locals, said coalition by-election director Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.

He added that Perikatan’s priority is to provide solutions to issues and attract quality investments into Kuala Kubu Baru, which is located about 80km from Kuala Lumpur.

“Quality investments will provide better and quality jobs for locals in this area,” he said.

Azmin said in Perikatan’s meetings with many voters, they wanted qualified and experienced individuals to represent them at the state assembly.

He said the coalition’s candidate Khairul Azhari Saut fits the bill, as he was a councillor at the Hulu Selangor Municipal Council.

“Khairul knows how to handle issues with the council, as well as the Land and District offices,” he added.

Unity government Kuala Kubu Baharu seat campaign manager Wayne Ong said Perikatan has been harping on claims that the unity government has failed to resolve economic issues and that the people are burdened with a high cost of living.

“However, these are global issues.

“That’s why we need the local government to work with the central government to stabilise prices and create more job opportunities,” he said.

He said Pakatan will explain to the voters how the area would be developed and what plans are in store to improve the constituents’ lives.

“We want to avoid any divisive or emotional issues. All efforts should be on promoting services,” he added.

Ong said that during his interactions with voters, many people wished to learn more about opportunities for higher-income jobs.

“For next week, we will work to encourage those who live outside Kuala Kubu Baru to return and vote.

“We hope the voter turnout will exceed 70%, as this is the rate at which Pakatan can win,” Ong added.

Parti Rakyat Malaysia candidate Hafizah Zainudin said the party is working as hard as it can to woo voters in the second half of the campaign period up to polling day on Saturday.

She said the party will hold a ceramah on Thursday.

“If we do our campaign trail earlier, people may forget what we can offer,” she said, adding that house-to-house visits will also be made.

Independent candidate Nyau Ke Xin had said she plans to ramp up physical campaigns this week after focusing on social media campaigns last week.

Early voting takes place tomorrow while polling day is on Saturday. 

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/05/06/cost-of-living-among-key-campaign-issues