Mahathir said the emergence of Malay-based splinter parties has fragmented the Malay vote in the country.

“Even though there are more Malay voters in the constituency than Chinese, the Malays are divided while the Chinese are united. So DAP will possibly win,” he told reporters at Putra’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house today.

“Back then, the Malays were united under Umno, where we were able to obtain a two-thirds majority (in Parliament) every time. However, we became divided and, from there, emerged more Malay-based parties, including Putra.”

Kuala Kubu Baharu, a Selangor state seat, has a mixed electorate, with Malay voters comprising 46%, Chinese (30%), Indian (18%) and others (5%).

The by-election on May 11 will see a four-cornered fight among Pakatan Harapan, Perikatan Nasional, Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) and an independent candidate.

DAP’s Pang Sock Tao will face PN’s Hulu Selangor Bersatu acting chief Khairul Azhari Saut, PRM’s Hafizah Zainuddin and independent candidate Nyau Ke Xin.

The seat fell vacant following the death of three-term DAP assemblyman Lee Kee Hiong on March 21 from cancer.