Liow: MCA to focus on party reforms, Balakong by-election first

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA will focus on reforms within the party and the upcoming Balakong by-election before deciding on the direction of Barisan Nasional, says Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai (pic).

"We will focus on our own reform first before we have more discussion on the direction of the coalition," he told reporters after launching the MCA operations room for the Balakong state seat by-election on Saturday (Aug 11).

"This is the same for other component parties within Barisan too," he added.

Liow said although MCA is seen as the "underdog", the party has a responsibility to field a candidate for the Balakong seat.

"We need to be prepared for the by-election. Today, we officially start our by-election machinery," he said.

On Friday (Aug 10), Liow announced that MCA would contest under its own party logo for the first time for the Balakong by-election.

On concerns that voters may be more familiar with Barisan's logo rather than MCA's logo, Liow said he believed that voters here will recognise MCA's logo as the party has been providing assistance and services to the rakyat from all races and background.

He said the party had shortlisted four names for the by-election candidate and his deputy Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong will make the announcement by next week.

Liow also urged Balakong voters to support the MCA candidate so the party can provide a check and balance in the Selangor state assembly.

Nomination day for the Balakong by-election is on Aug 18 and polling is on Sept 8.

The seat fell vacant after its assemblyman Eddie Ng Tien Chee died in a traffic accident on July 20.

In the last general election, Ng retained the seat for a second term with a 35,538-vote majority.