Barisan in high spirits as coalition members united

PONTIAN: With campaigning for the Tanjung Piai by-election now entering the crucial second lap, Barisan Nasional is presenting a united front with assistance from all its component parties.

MCA’s deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon (pic) said that members of the coalition were in high spirits despite it not being “an easy by-election”.

“The Pakatan Harapan government is throwing in a lot of goodies, and we are fighting an uphill task especially against their government machinery.

“I am thankful for the support from all our Barisan Nasional partners who have been coming all-out to campaign for our candidate, ” he said, adding that MCA welcomed the support from all its partners.

Dr Mah said that everyone in Barisan knew this was an important battle for the coalition.

Asked if there were still issues with Umno over the candidate, Dr Mah, said that, “At that time (when choosing the candidate) it was understandable, but now everyone knows that Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng is the candidate for Barisan”.

“So far we do not have any issues, and the campaign is running smoothly, ” he said.

Meanwhile, Johor Umno chief Datuk Hasni Mohamad said the party and its supporters were 100% behind Wee to wrest the parliamentary seat away from Pakatan.

“There is no protest vote from our side because we are confident that Wee will be able to win the by-election with the support of all Barisan component parties.

“Now with the by-election heading to its final leg, Barisan will go all out and increase its efforts to win Tanjung Piai, ”

he said adding that Barisan was united against Pakatan.

Johor MIC chief R.Vidyanathan agreed that the unity among Barisan members was good with everyone going all out to compaign and to reach out to voters.

“We are also happy with the multiracial turn out at our events and ceramah which we hope will help bring about winds of change, ” he said, adding that the issue of a Malay or Umno candidate did not arise anymore.

Vidyanathan added that MIC was trying to reach out to the 538 Indian voters in the constituency.