SHAH ALAM - Hulu Selangor Municipal Council (MPHS) member Saripah Bakar is among the three names mentioned as potential Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidates to defend the Kuala Kubu Baharu State Legislative Assembly seat in the upcoming by-election on May 11.
It was understood that Saripah's name had been proposed by the leadership of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) Hulu Selangor Parliament to attract support from Malay voters, who represent about 46 per cent of the over 40,000 registered voters in the Kuala Kubu Baharu State Assembly area.
The Kuala Kubu Baharu State Assembly is a mixed constituency with Malay voters comprising 46 per cent, Chinese (30 per cent), Indian (18 per cent), and others (six per cent).
The demographic mix of voters is considered to give PH an advantage over the opposition.
As a result, some political observers believe that selecting Saripah as the candidate for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election was appropriate and important to prove that the DAP was not a racially biased or chauvinistic Chinese party but represented a diverse community.
In addition to being active in politics and serving as a municipal council member, Saripah was often involved in various community activities and welfare organisations, especially those related to the disabled (OKU) in the Hulu Selangor Parliament area.
When contacted by Sinar Premium, Saripah emphasised that she leaves it to the PH and DAP leadership to decide whether her name will be nominated.
"I cannot comment further; we have to wait for the party's announcement.
"However, generally, I believe PH will make the best effort to defend the seat previously held by the late Lee Kee Hiong for three terms.
"Insha-Allah, we will be able to defend the Kuala Kubu Baharu DUN seat with the outstanding service record left by the late representative," she said.
In addition to Saripah, two other names mentioned in the DAP's candidate selection list are Political Secretary to the Digital Minister Mandeep Singh and Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) member Alice Choo Foong Thye.
Mandeep, who hails from Kalumpang, Hulu Selangor, had been active as an activist with Bersih.
Mandeep's name was also previously mentioned as a DAP candidate in the Kuala Kubu Baharu DUN constituency in the previous Selangor State Election.
However, the DAP decided to retain the late Kee Hiong for the third term.