KUALA LUMPUR: A winnable candidate for the Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) by-election takes precedence over race for Parti Gerakan Malaysia (Gerakan).

Gerakan president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau said the party alongside its counterpart in Perikatan Nasional (PN) will also work together in resolving crucial issues faced by KKB constituents.

"Our party is a non-ethnic political party, hence, the race of the candidate is not a significant factor for us to consider. We are considering a winnable candidate, someone who can represent the party well under PN to win the by-election.

"When I visited KKB, I also sought opinions from the constituents who said the race (of the candidate) is not the issue and what is important is that the candidate can serve and address local issues.

"This is a more important factor than the race issue raised, which questioned whether Malay, Chinese or Indians are more suitable.

"Thus, we will consider the winnable factor, not just race as qualifications and our focus is to work together to resolve the people's issues as it is more crucial," he said in a press conference at its headquarters, today.

Lau added that Gerakan will also defend the KKB seat and present the choice of candidates to the PN leadership during the top leadership meeting scheduled to be held on Monday.

"We will have a leadership meeting on Monday and we will inform the chairman (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) of the proposal of our decision (on the candidates).

"We do not only have one (choice of) candidate but many, and we also have the upper hand such as the former KKB candidate who is familiar with the constituents and voters."

Lau added that studies have also been conducted by PN to determine the suitability of the candidate in the upcoming election.

"Hence, we will have a rational discussion (over the candidate) and we will continue to campaign wholeheartedly to win the upcoming election."

Lau also asked Malaysians to fulfil their responsibilities to vote, despite calls to snub a particular candidate ahead of the Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) by-election.

"We are a democratic country, which means that as long as we do not violate any laws, anyone can express their opinion.

"They can show their feelings as long as they do not break the law.

"However, our country has a constitution and we have election laws. Hence, voting is indeed our responsibility in the elections," he said.

Lau said this in response to the statement made by former Penang deputy chief minister II Dr P. Ramasamy who urged Indian voters in KKB to avoid voting for Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the upcoming by-election on May 11.

Yesterday, Ramasamy who leads the Indian-based party Urimai said it will advise voters against supporting PH following dissatisfaction with the treatment given to the Indian community by the unity government.

The former DAP leader also emphasised that his newly formed party, Urimai, has no unofficial or official relationship with the opposition, especially Perikatan Nasional (PN).

The Election Commission (EC) has fixed May 11 for the KKB by-election.

The by-election is being held following the death of its three-term assemblywoman Lee Kee Hiong from the DAP on March 21 after a battle with cancer.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2024/04/1040402/gerakan-ahead-kkb-election-winnability-not-question-race