MCA to field candidate, use own logo
KUALA LUMPUR: MCA will field a candidate in the Balakong byelection and use its own logo.
This was announced by its president, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, yesterday, who said this was agreed unanimously by the party’s central committee members.
Liow had hinted on the possibility of the party using its own logo. However, he said, this did not mean the party would quit Barisan Nasional as MCA was one of the founders of the coalition.
The decision to use the party’s own logo would be conveyed to the other BN component parties, Liow said.
“We received overwhelming response and support from our grassroots wanting MCA to use its own logo.
“We think it’s time for the party to focus on its reform, walk on our own path and also to walk the path for all. MCA will take a new political stand to face the voters and discard political baggage,” he said after the MCA central committee meeting at Wisma MCA here yesterday.
Balakong was one of MCA’s strongholds, held by Datuk Hoh Hee Lee from 1995 to 2008.
In 2008, MCA fielded Dr Lai Kwong Choy in the constituency, as Hoh moved to contest the Serdang parliamentary seat. Both lost to DAP.
In 2013, MCA fielded Dr Lai again, but lost to DAP’s Eddie Ng Tien Chee.
Ng defended his seat in the 14th General Election after defeating MCA’s Lim Chin Wah and Pas’ Mohamad Ibrahim Ghazali.
The Balakong seat fell vacant following Ng’s death in a car accident on July 20.
In the last general election, Ng retained the seat for a second term with a 35,538-vote majority.
The Election Commission fixed Aug 18 as nomination day, while polling will take place on Sept 8.