A highly placed DAP source says that Chinese broadcast journalist Yunna Tan is the party's most likely candidate for the Balakong by-election.

"You can say so (that she's basically confirmed)... But the party candidate selection committee has not met yet to discuss. We have plenty of time before nomination," the source told Malaysiakini.

The source also brushed off questions about Tan not being a member of DAP.

"Some will say, she is not party member. However, Balakong is an urban seat, so having a parachute candidate will not cause a big problem," the source added.

While acknowledging some grassroots may be dissatisfied with the decision to field a newcomer, the source pointed out that many DAP women elected representatives are able to serve their constituencies well.

A separate source, however, said the central party leadership has yet to finalise Tan's candidacy, as other names are being considered.

"Few incumbent councillors were put into the list like Khoo Kim Han," the Selangor DAP leader said.

'Nothing final'

In a Facebook posting today, Tan confirmed that she had been approached by DAP to contest in Balakong.

She stressed, however, that other names are being considered and that nothing was final.

"I am surprised and honoured to be even considered for the above vacancy. The responsibilities and commitment of a state elected representative are heavy and entail a high degree of sacrifice.

"Regardless of whether I’m ultimately selected as a candidate, I will give my full support to the party in its fight to serve the people," she added

Tan once hosted two popular prime-time Chinese current affairs programmes, "Evening Edition" and "Prime Talk" on Astro AEC. 

She is said to have been offered a seat for the May 9 general election as well, but her candidacy did not materialise.

The Balakong seat fell vacant after the death of assemblyperson Eddie Ng in a road accident on July 20.

Ng had won the state seat in GE14 with a 35,538-vote majority, beating out PAS' Mohamad Ibrahim Ghazali and BN's Lim Chin Wah.