MCA will ensure BN wins

GEORGE TOWN: MCA will go all out to capture the hearts of new voters in Kuala Terengganu to ensure a Barisan Nasional victory in the forthcoming by-election.

Acknowledging that the task ahead was arduous with BN having to work harder, MCA vice-president Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said the party would cooperate with other component parties to ensure victory for the coalition.

He said the Chinese, who made up about 11 per cent of voters in the state, had been supportive of the party.

“They showed this in the March 8 general election. I am sure they will continue to be with us, based on our track record,” he said, after chairing the first state MCA liaison committee meeting at the MCA headquarters in Jalan Pahang here yesterday. “It is my hope that the voters will give us another chance to serve them.”

Kuala Terengganu member of parliament Datuk Razali Ismail, who was also deputy education minister, died of a heart attack on Friday during a game of badminton at Institut Aminuddin Baki in Genting Highlands.

Liow, who is also state MCA liaison committee chairman, extended the party’s condolences to Razali’s family members.

“He was a very dedicated leader and contributed tremendously to his state and the country,” he said.

In Kuala Lumpur, MCA president Datuk Ong Tee Keat said secretary-general Datuk Wong Foon Meng would coordinate the party machinery in the by-election.

He said Wong would oversee party operations at the national level to ensure a BN victory.

The party’s Terengganu liaison committee and Kuala Terengganu division will handle preparations at the local level.

“Wong has the advantage as he is an anak Terengganu,” he said after launching the Chung Shan Association’s new building yesterday.

Ong said local leaders were needed to assist in the by-election as they had better knowledge of local conditions and voters.

“But at the same time, we are mobilising our grassroots from all states to lend a hand in the by-election. So, a federal leader is needed to coordinate things.”

He said the party machinery would be launched as soon as the Election Commission had made its announcement on the by-election.

On Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s ambition to take over Sarawak as the sixth Pakatan-Rakyat-controlled state, Liow said the coalition was free to make such claims.-nst