KUALA LUMPUR: The press secretary to Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming has been tipped to defend the Kuala Kubu Baharu state seat for the DAP, says a source in the know.

According to the source, Pang Sock Tao is expected to be officially named as the unity government's candidate for the May 11 by-election.

"(It is) Nga's press secretary," the source said.

According to reports, the decision to field Pang, 31, who previously served as a news presenter for DAP's UbahTV, was finalised last week.

The New Straits Times has reached out to Nga for comments.

Yesterday, Pakatan Harapan (PH) director for the by-election Ng Sze Han said 10 candidates were being considered ahead of nominations on Saturday (April 27).

"DAP has a long list of eligible candidates, and among the 10 individuals shortlisted, there are Malay candidates, as well as Chinese and Indians," Ng, was quoted as saying.

Others previously speculated to be fielded by DAP for the by-election include Hulu Selangor Municipal Council (MPHS) member Saripah Bakar.

One party member who spoke to NST said Saripah was a familiar face in Kuala Kubu Baharu having accompanied the seat's former incumbent Lee Kee Hiong to meet people on the ground in on several occasions.

Other names that were purportedly in DAP's list of potential candidates included Selayang Municipal Council member Alice Choo and the political secretary to the Digital Minister Mandeep Singh.

The Kuala Kubu Baharu seat fell vacant after Lee on March 21 died from cancer.

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.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2024/04/1042039/ngas-press-secretary-defend-kkb-dap