MUAR: A win for Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election in Selangor will send a strong signal to the unity government, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.
The PN chairman and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president said although the outcome of the May 11 by-election will not result in the shift of power either at the state or federal level, victory by the opposition at the state seat will demonstrate the unhappiness among the people towards the federal administration.
Based on the current situation in the country's political landscape and coupled with the hard work by the PN election machinery, Muhyiddin said he is upbeat that the opposition could wrest the seat from DAP.
"This by-election is a litmus test (of the mood of the people) not only in Kuala Kubu Baharu and Selangor, but also at the national level.
"It means that if here (in Kuala Kubu Baharu) the people are not satisfied and unhappy, which results in the defeat of the DAP candidate, this signifies a strong signal that will reach Putrajaya.
"Although a win (for PN in the by-election) will not change the situation (of the existing government), it will send an important signal (to the federal administration)," he told reporters after attending the Pagoh parliamentary constituency Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration here today.
Although the Malays are the majority voters in Kuala Kubu Baharu, Muhyiddin said only 67 percent of them voted during the Selangor state election in August last year.
He added that contrary to Malay voters, voter turnout among Chinese electorates in the constituency was 100 per cent, which helped PH to win Kuala Kubu Baharu in the state election.
"If we look at the results of the state election last year, PH won by a majority of 4,119 votes and we see it is quite stagnant. It means that the voting trend is stable for almost three consecutive elections, with no increase.
"If previously only 67 per cent of Malay voters turned out to vote, if it increases to 80 or 90 per cent... that would be good (for PN)," he said.
"I hope voters turn out in large numbers. To all Malay voters who previously did not vote, I hope they realise that this is not about racial issues but more about the voting tendency at the state constituency," he said.
The Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election will see a four-cornered battle involving PN, Pakatan Harapan (PH), Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) and an independent candidate.
PN is fielding Hulu Selangor Bersatu division acting chief Khairul Azhari Saut in its attempt to wrest Kuala Kubu Baharu from PH.
In last year's Selangor state election, DAP retained Kuala Kubu Baharu for the third term after the party's candidate the late Lee Kee Hiong polled a majority of 4,119 votes in a four-cornered at the state seat.
The state constituency however fell vacant after Lee succumbed to cancer last month.