DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook announced Pang as PH’s candidate at an event in Kuala Kubu Baharu, a Selangor state assembly seat which DAP has held since 2013.

Earlier today, a PH minister told FMT that Pang, who is housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming’s press secretary, would be nominated by DAP.

Pang, 31, served as a special officer to Yeo Bee Yin when she led the energy, science, technology, environment, and climate change ministry in 2018 before the “Sheraton Move” that brought Perikatan Nasional (PN) to power in 2020.

She was appointed as an aide to Nga following the unity government’s formation after the 2022 general election.

In an infographic announcing her candidacy, Pang said she hoped to boost eco-tourism, public amenities and infrastructure in Kuala Kubu Baharu.

“I hope Malaysia can maintain unity, celebrate diversity for all, and achieve greatness as a regional economic leader,” she said.

Loke said the unity government shortlisted a few female candidates ahead of the by-election, with Pang standing out due to her extensive political experience.

“Our candidate not only possesses good academic qualifications but also has a high level of political knowledge and sensitivity towards different ethnicities,” said Loke.

“Hence, she is the best person to represent the Malays, Chinese, Indians, and Orang Asli of Kuala Kubu Baharu.”

PN will reveal its candidate tomorrow.

According to a PN source, Gerakan wants to field Muniraa Abu Bakar, who previously contested the Bukit Lanjan seat in the August state election. She was defeated by PH’s Pua Pei Ling by a 41,227-vote majority.

In the August polls, Gerakan candidate Henry Teoh lost the Kuala Kubu Baharu seat to DAP’s Lee Kee Hiong by a 4,119-vote majority. Lee, who had held the seat since 2013, died last month after a battle with cancer.

The source said Bersatu is proposing to field Hulu Selangor acting chief Khairul Azhari Saut for the by-election.

Nominations for the by-election will be held on Saturday.