Malaysian parties woo Indian voters in tight Kuala Kubu Bharu by-election

Community makes up 18% of voting base, and could decide the winner

- Azril Annuar

The Indian community is set to tilt the scales at the Kuala Kubu Bharu (KKB) state assembly by-election on May 11, which pits Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Pakatan Harapan (PH) against its rival Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Campaigners from both sides have in recent weeks descended on the semi-urban constituency in Selangor and conducted cosy sessions, ranging from house-tohouse visits to small neighbourhood gatherings, with the Indian community that forms 18 per cent of the voting base of just over 40,000.

KKB is one of only a handful of wards nationally with a significant | Indian minority. Its majority Malay community makes up just under half of all the voters at 49.6 per cent, while the Chinese and other races comprise 30.6 per cent and 2.1 per cent, respectively.

By and large, PH supporters are the ethnic Chinese, Indians and progressive urban Malays. However, their support has been waning, especially among the Indians, due to the perception that they have been taken for granted by the ruling government, and that their needs are not being met.

PH supporters are also disappointed about Datuk Seri Anwar's slow pace in delivering institutional reforms, the rising cost of living and Malaysia's weakening economy due to the ringgit's steady depreciation against the US dollar.

With PN commanding the majority of the Malay votes, and PH traditionally supported by the Chinese, the Indians who account for 18 per cent of the electorate could well swing the pendulum to favour one side or the other in KKB.