HULU SELANGOR: A factory in Hulu Selangor that makes components for electric vehicles is one of the success stories that Pakatan Harapan will point to in its bid to convince voters of Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) that the coalition has delivered.
The MCE Auto hub in Serendah, about 30 minutes away from KKB, is one of several examples that the Pakatan-led Selangor administration will use to convince over 40,000 voters to stick with the coalition, which is facing three other candidates in the May 11 polls.
This is since the number of high-quality jobs in KKB, which is part of the relatively remote Hulu Selangor district, is an issue close to the heart of the constituency’s voters, said Ng Sze Han, Pakatan’s election director for KKB.
“I believe we must tell the success stories of the Selangor government in bringing new and high-income jobs to Hulu Selangor,” he said in an interview.
He was one of the officials, along with Investment, Industry and Trade Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, who was present at the ground-breaking ceremony for the factory in April.
Ng said the auto hub is one of the high-skilled industries and investments that the Pakatan administration has brought to an industrial park in Hulu Selangor.
Media reports stated that once the MCE Auto hub is completed and operational in 2025, it is expected to generate 700,000 jobs and RM40bil in economic output.
Another fact that Pakatan is expected to emphasise to voters is how under the federal unity government, the number of unemployed went down to 580,700 last year, the lowest since the Covid-19 pandemic, while the unemployment rate stood at 3.4%.
“This reflects the improving economic developments throughout the fourth quarter of 2023, with the labour force participation rate rising 0.6% year-on-year,” said Ng, who is also executive councillor in charge of investment, trade and mobility.
Ng said the positive economic figures show that the unity government is focusing on providing high-income and high-value jobs, including in semi-urban areas such as Hulu Selangor.
“The ecosystem is already here. The businesses are here. Investments have already been made. It’s just waiting to flourish.”
Apart from high-skilled jobs, infrastructure development and cost of living issues are also key concerns, he said.
Ng said the late Kuala Kubu Baharu assemblyman Lee Kee Hiong had addressed these issues well, which has helped Pakatan hold on to the seat since 2013.
“Lee tackled bread-and-butter issues for a long time. She heard the rakyat.
She worked for the best systems and policies. That is why she was able to retain this constituency for so many years,” he said.
Lee had retained KKB in last August’s state election by a 4,119-vote majority. She passed away in March after a battle with cancer, triggering the by-election.
The seat is being fought over by Pakatan’s Pang Sock Tao, Perikatan Nasional’s Khairul Azhari Saut, Hafizah Zainudin of Parti Rakyat Malaysia, and Independent Nyau Ke Xin.
Although Pakatan managed to retain KKB in last year’s state election, the coalition is not resting on its laurels, said Ng.
“We must be realistic that the dynamics of politics in today’s world have changed. While we are confident (we will) retain this constituency, we cannot take it lightly,” said Ng.
Nevertheless, the unity government and Pakatan are confident of retaining their core support.
“New and young voters might be still undecided, but with our young and energetic candidate, we are optimistic they will support us,” added Ng.
