KUALA LUMPUR: Umno will not contest the vacant seat in Kuala Kubu Baharu following the passing of the assemblyman.
Its president, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, said leaders of Umno in the Barisan Nasional component should respect the seat owned by the party within the unity government.
Zahid urged these leaders to lend their support to any nominee put forth by the government chairman and to come together with Umno to support the candidate.
"Despite the rise in the number of Malay voters in Kuala Kubu Baharu, accounting for around 50 per cent, I feel that our friends in Umno in the Barisan Nasional should respect the ownership of the seat by our coalition partners in the unity government," he said in a speech at the Umno breaking fast event at the World Trade Centre here today.
Although the date for the by-election has yet to be determined, Zahid said it is important to uphold this spirit of respect.
"God willing, we will maintain our steadfastness and uphold the sense of unity among the coalition parties in the unity government, while also prioritising the maintenance of political stability in our country.
"Hopefully, we will be able to continue to ensure and maintain this relationship so that the government we support will remain strong and solid," he said.
Kuala Kubu Baharu assemblyman Lee Kee Hiong died yesterday, after battling cancer.