MCA eyes 20 parliamentary seats

PRESS

MCA has identified 20 winnable seats, out of 40 it is expected to contest in the 14th general election (GE14).

For the second largest Barisan Nasional (BN) component party, the “safe seat” is not the Bentong parliamentary constituency held by its president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai but Alor Gajah, which is held by Datuk Koh Nai Kwong, a former central committee member; and deputy president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong’s Ayer Hitam constituency,

reported. Apart from defending the seven seats it won in GE13, MCA has set sights on winning Alor Star, Raub, Kampar, Seremban, Wangsa Maju, Bagan Serai, Gopeng, Bakri, Lumut, Kluang, Gelang Patah, Bandar Tun Razak and Kuantan.

These 13 constituencies were either former MCA strongholds or traditionally contested by the party.

A source told the daily that although MCA insisted on standing in 40 parliamentary constituencies it has traditionally contested, the party has yet to be given back Kuantan and Wangsa Maju – two of the three constituencies it “loaned” to its BN partners in the last election.

Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin has publicly indicated that he would support MCA’s Datuk Teoh Sew Hock being fielded in Gelang Patah, a seat MCA “loaned” to Umno in GE13.

As for Wangsa Maju, the latest word is that MCA has finally got back the constituency after negotiating with Umno, which was initially reluctant to return the seat. It is understood that MCA will field its Federal Territories chief Datuk Yew Teong Look, a former Wangsa Maju MP, in the constituency.

The report said MCA is confident of winning back Seremban from DAP and is expected to field its Youth chief Datuk Chong Sin Woon, who is deputy education minister. Chong will be up against the incumbent, DAP organising secretary Anthony Loke Siew Fook.

The Seremban battle is seen as crucial for Chong, who is poised to move up the party echelon on completing his term as Youth chief, as a win is a must if he wants to keep his government post.

Chong was appointed deputy minister by virtue of being a senator, which he is serving for the second and final term.

BERNAMAPIX ... Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail looking at the special edition commemorative RM600 currency note presented to him by BNM Governor Tan Sri Muhammad Ibrahim (left) at Istana Arau in Perlis yesterday. The note, together with...