Liow: Voters to have a say on candidate line-up for GE14

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA will seek public feedback before finalising its candidates list for the general election, said Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

Disclosing that the party was deep into its election preparations, the MCA president said that all branches and divisions had been put on alert.

He said the Opposition’s “secrets” must be exposed, with the previous Pakatan Rakyat coalition defunct and the new Pakatan Harapan front in turmoil.

“Unlike Barisan Nasional which has core values emphasising mutual respect, harmony, unity, cooperation and consensus, Pakatan Harapan has none at all.

“This makes them unreliable,” he told reporters after the launch of the Blossom Arts Festival Malaysia (BAFM) 2017 at Wisma MCA yesterday.

Graceful troupe: ASK Dance Company’s dancers charming the audience during the Blossom Arts Festival Malaysia 2017 at Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur. 

Liow, who is Transport Minister, also said Malaysia and Singapore were working hard to expedite the Rapid Transit System (RTS), especially last-mile connectivity on the Singapore side.

“It was announced that Malaysia will own 31% of the RTS, based on investment. The RTS is a good start to easing the traffic jams between Johor Baru and Singapore along the Causeway,” he said.

“The RTS will help ease congestion, especially once it is connected to Singapore’s Thomson MRT line which is under construction.

“Presently, many people have to wake up at 5am or 6am to get to work on time in Singapore,” he said.

Meanwhile, BAFM 2017 will see 79 artistic and music groups participating, and will feature art performances, exhibitions, culture and art activities, a bazaar and a visual arts display.

Festival chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, in her opening speech, explained that preparations for BAFM 2017, which is themed “Negaraku”, took about 10 months.

“First held in June last year, BAFM’s main objective is to bring everyone together – Malays, Chinese, Indians, and Kadazans, Ibans and Muruts from Sabah and Sarawak – to celebrate our nation’s diversity and colourful background,” she said.

Chew also highlighted the presence of international performers from North-East and South-East Asia, as well as an Iban cultural group from Sibu which was joining BAFM for the first time.

Later in the evening, Liow attended the BAFM gala night with his wife Datin Seri Lee Sun Loo.

“A unique Malaysian Chinese culture is born as the local Chinese absorb the essence of other cultural groups in the country. This is something the local Chinese community can be very proud of,” he said.