HULU SELANGOR, May 13 — Political analysts have hailed Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Pang Sock Tao’s victory in the Kuala Kubu Baru (KKB) by-election as a strong endorsement of a representative aligned with both state and federal governments. According to analysts, this victory underscores the electorate’s confidence in a unity government and the desire for continuity in development. Associate Professor Awang Azman Awang Pawi of Universiti Malaya attributed Pang’s success partly to the impressive track record of former assemblyman Lee Kee Hiong.
He noted that voters believed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari had fostered political stability, economic prosperity, and harmony, contributing significantly to Pang’s triumph. Jazimin Zakaria, a senior lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Kedah, praised the voters’ maturity in evaluating campaign issues, emphasizing their rejection of sentiments based on race, religion, and royalty.
Meanwhile, Professor Datuk Sivamurugan Pandian of Universiti Sains Malaysia highlighted factors such as Pang’s educational background, administrative and political experience, and strong relations with both federal and state governments as contributing to his victory. Pang secured a substantial majority of 3,869 votes in the four-cornered contest, defeating candidates from Perikatan Nasional, Parti Rakyat Malaysia, and an independent contender.
