KUALA LUMPUR: A Selangor Perikatan Nasional leader has welcomed MCA and MIC's decision to boycott the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, saying it will give the opposition coalition an advantage.
"We appreciate MCA and MIC's honesty (about not wanting to help non-Barisan Nasional candidates)," Selangor PN secretary Dr Afif Bahardin told the New Straits Times.
"To us, it is an advantage because it shows the lack of unity in the unity government."
Afif said the reality was that MCA and MIC had a strong presence in the area, with Kuala Kubu Baharu being a former MCA stronghold.
The state seat is also part of the Hulu Selangor parliamentary constituency which MIC once controlled, he said.
"We hope the traditional MCA and MIC voters will shift their support to PN."
Earlier this week, MCA and MIC said they would not help any non-BN parties campaign in the election. The seat is currently held by DAP.
Last month, BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the coalition would not stake a claim to the seat and give way to DAP, its ally in the unity government.
Yesterday, BN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the coalition's component parties must help candidates representing the unity government in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election.
Afif said PN was hopeful of wresting the Kuala Kubu Baharu seat from Pakatan Harapan since BN appeared fragmented.
"We hope we can garner more votes from the Chinese and Indian communities to add to the support we already enjoy from the Malay community."
He added PN was focused on highlighting issues faced by the people in Selangor.
"It's a chance for the voters to send a message to the state and federal governments."
The by-election, which is being held on May 11, was triggered by the death of three-term assemblyman Lee Kee Hiong of the DAP.