Liow counters attacks with facts
BENTONG: Keeping in touch with the electorate, listening to voters and enlightening them with facts and figures – these are Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai’s key activities in the crucial period before polling day.
The MCA president and incumbent Bentong MP said it is important to inform voters about the country’s achievements to counter the Opposition’s tactics.
“The Opposition moves in fiercely with big ceramah everywhere to stir the emotions of the people.
“They bring in their national leaders ... spinning stories to their benefit,” he said during a walkabout at Kampung Baru Repas here.
On Liow’s campaign trail, Bentong residents in need of assistance could be seen waiting for him with files and documents, hoping for a chance to talk to him.
Whenever possible, Liow would listen to them and figure out the best way to solve their problems.
“People want elected representatives to serve them, a government that can perform its required duties.
“Barisan Nasional representatives are here to deliver. We are not here to just warm the seats,” he said.
Liow urged voters to support Barisan for a better tomorrow.
“Barisan and MCA are all about positivity. We build the nation, we work hard and want to do even more in the next five years.”
On former Umno ministers such as Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz and Tun Daim Zainuddin throwing their support behind former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is now leading Pakatan Harapan, Liow said they would not be able to influence the rakyat at large as everyone was aware of their personal ties.
“They have mixed up personal relationships with the national agenda. This is very unfortunate.
“We need to focus on the bigger picture and the country’s future. It’s not about individuals, but a strong and stable country under a Barisan leadership that has delivered successes for 60 years,” he said.
Liow’s programme yesterday began at 8am and covered three of the four state seats under Bentong.
In Raub, Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun said she would focus on meeting and wooing as many rural voters as possible.
The Barisan candidate for the Raub parliamentary seat said she would be going to Malay and orang asli villages, Felda settlements and operations rooms.
“For the past week, I have visited many Chinese, Indian and orang asli areas to attend community gatherings and distribute leaflets with my personal pledges, as well as Barisan and MCA manifestos.
“The response has been positive and encouraging. I think Barisan stands a good chance to regain this seat,” she said in an interview.
Chew said over the last three days, her day would start at 7am in markets and food courts, and continue until past midnight.
For GE14, she had adopted a threepronged strategy to engage voters: on social media, with the hashtag #MeiFun4Raub; going on housetohouse visits; and attending meetthepeople events.
Some of her Facebook videos which attracted a lot of interest included a recap of when she first set foot in Sungai Ruan new village here some 20 years ago, her vision to develop Raub into a vibrant and lively township, and the soontobe completed dam in Sungai Bilut to address water woes.
“Before I can execute these plans, I need the mandate to serve and build Raub together. Can I be given this opportunity?” she asked Indian voters during a gathering in Cheroh.
Today being a state holiday, Chew and her aides will be going on more walkabouts in town, attending kenduri, marriage solemnisations and religious ceremonies, as well as sports and dinner gatherings.