MCA weighs option of using own logo in polls

Party may drop BN symbol for Balakong by-election

MCA is going in for the Balakong by-election for sure. What isn’t confirmed though is that the party may be ditching Barisan Nasional’s trademark scales logo for its own. Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan says: ‘If MCA thinks it can attract more votes with its own logo, it’s OK. We are not rigid on this.’

BENTONG: MCA may be ditching Barisan Nasional’s trademark scales logo for its own party symbol in the Balakong by-election, says party president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

However, this would only be decided after a top leadership meeting, he said.

“MCA will field a candidate for the Balakong by-election.

“We know that it’s not easy to win this seat but as a political party, we have the responsibility to provide check and balance.

“We hope the rakyat can give us the support needed to fulfil the promises made to them,” said Liow.

Balakong, a state seat in Selangor, fell vacant after its assemblyman Eddie Ng died in a road accident.

It has traditionally been an MCA seat, but it became a DAP stronghold since 2008.

Ng polled 41,768 votes in the May 9 general election. His opponents, Mohamad Ibrahim Ghazali of PAS and MCA’s Lim Chin Wah, obtained 6,230 and 5,874 votes respectively.

Previously, speculation was rife that Umno would take on the Sungai Kandis by-election using its own logo.

However, following a meeting chaired by Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi last Wednesday, it was decided that Umno would contest the seat using the Barisan logo.

Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the matter of whether MCA should use its own logo in the Balakong by-election would need to be discussed by all Barisan Nasional component parties.

“If they think they can attract more votes (with their own logo), then we have to discuss the impact of that decision on Barisan.

“We are not that rigid on this mat- ter, but it has to be discussed and agreed upon by all the component parties,” he said yesterday.

The former Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar also said the decision must be discussed at a Barisan meeting.

“If MCA decides to go on its own, then we will also have to discuss the Barisan machinery,” he added.

Good to go: Liow signing a plaque to officiate the opening of a new hall at the Leung Kwong Yee San Cemetery in Bentong. Looking on are (from left) Bentong Chinese Town Hall president Datuk Seri Low Long Yang, cemetery committee president Wong Yin, Federation of Hokkien Associations of Malaysia treasurer Ricky Tan and Pahang MCA chairman Datuk Hoh Khai Mun.