KUALA LUMPUR: Umno and Barisan Nasional will respect the candidate who contests the now-vacant Kuala Kubu Bharu state assembly seat.

"We feel that even though the number of Malay voters in Kuala Kubu Bharu has increased to around 50%, in the spirit of respect within the Madani government, our friends in Umno and Barisan Nasional component parties must respect that the seat belongs to our friends in the unity government," president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said in his speech at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur on Friday (March 22).

He was speaking to Umno members during a buka puasa gathering here.

He added that while no date had been set for the by-election, all party machinery would be mobilised to assist whoever is contesting.

"Whoever is chosen as a candidate by the unity government chairman, Umno, Barisan Nasional and the friends of Barisan election machinery will support that candidate together," he said.

Three-term Kuala Kubu Bharu assemblyman Lee Kee Hiong passed away on Thursday (March 21) morning.

Also present during the event was MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.