SHAH ALAM – Pas held limited influence in Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) during the recent by-election, according to political analyst Datuk Dr Ismail Sualman.
The Universiti Teknologi Mara's Centre for Communication and Media Studies professor also noted that the area's predominantly Chinese population affected Pas's reach, suggesting that most Muslim voters might favour Perikatan Nasional (PN), particularly Pas and Bersatu supporters, while non-Malay voters, primarily Chinese and Indian, tend to support Pakatan Harapan (PH).
"Maybe, this is the turning point for PN to come up with the tougher, harder strategy for next election or next by-election,” he told Sinar Daily.
He also stated the challenges of collaboration between political parties at the local level despite successful cooperation among top leaders.
"While leaders may discuss and collaborate at the management level, it may not translate to effective grassroots teamwork," he said.
Ismail stressed that Pas and Bersatu need to refine their strategies, focusing less on power dynamics and more on achieving mutual success.
The Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, a four-cornered contest, was held following the death of incumbent Lee Kee Hiong due to cancer.
PH candidate Pang Soc Tao won the by-election by a significant margin, securing 14,000 votes against PN’s Khairul Azhari Saut, who received 10,131 votes.
Parti Rakyat Malaysia’s Hafizah Zainuddin and independent candidate Nyau Ke Xin garnered 152 and 188 votes, respectively.