Getting ready: Dr Wee (fourth from left) launching the Bayan Baru and Pantai Jerejak operation rooms in Bukit Jambul. With him are Yeoh (left), MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon (second from left), Saw (fifth from left), and state MCA chairman Datuk Tan Teik Cheng (second from right). — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: MCA will take over and contest the former Gerakan traditional seats in Penang in the 15th General Election (GE15), said its president, Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
He said as Gerakan is no longer in the Barisan Nasional, the party would take over the seats held by its former ally.
“Traditionally, we have one parliament seat in Bayan Baru. As Gerakan is no longer in the coalition, logically, we can take over the seat,” he said after launching the operation rooms of Bayan Baru and Pantai Jerejak in Bukit Jambul yesterday.
However, he said discussions were still ongoing with Umno and its allies in Barisan at the state level, noting that nothing had been decided yet.
In GE 14, Gerakan, under Barisan, contested four parliamentary seats in Penang and lost them all to Pakatan Harapan.
Gerakan also lost all its 13 state seats contested in the 14th General Election (GE14).
Dr Wee said MCA’s focus is now on its representatives working for the people while continuing its discussions with another component in Barisan.
During the launch, he introduced Bayan Baru parliamentary and Pantai Jerjak coordinators Saw Yee Fung and Yeoh Chin Kah.
Saw is the state party spokesperson and was a private secretary to former MCA secretary-general Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun.
Yeoh is the current state MCA secretary.
The event was attended by state Barisan leaders and party members from component parties.
Dr Wee said that the party is being realistic in GE15 by aiming for a modest outcome.
“I don’t want to be so proud, but realistically, even if we can win a few seats first, it can be considered a short-term target.
“We know that Penang is a fortress for Pakatan, but even if we can win a few seats, we can become a good opposition and provide strong check and balance to the ruling party,” he said.
He said if Barisan is given a bigger mandate in GE15, the coalition will have the proven track record to rule at the state and federal levels.
He is confident that with the cooperation of other component parties, Barisan can govern better than Pakatan.
At another event, Dr Wee said MCA is looking to field fresh and young faces as candidates in GE15.
He said the party needs to bring forth the youngsters in the party so that it can show the people that the party is in line with cur- rent trends.
“We have to highlight these young faces as competent candidates in GE15,” he said after attending the MCA Penang state annual convention here last night.
In light of this, he said Penang MCA should galvanise its effort to get as many young faces to serve the people as parliamentary and state constituency coordinators who would, subsequently, become candidates for GE15.
He said this strategy had been successful in the state elections in Johor and Malacca.
Dr Wee added that the party, at the same time, fielded intellectuals as candidates in GE15.
He also voiced his confidence that the Penang MCA leadership would welcome his proposal of fielding young faces in GE15. Although many of them were seen as too fresh in politics, with encouragement from seniors in the party, it can be done.
He said that although most of the party candidates would be young faces, he could not announce it now as the decision had not been finalised and discussions were still ongoing.
“But I can confirm that it is our strategy and plan to face GE15.
“In fact, some of them have been brought forward and are working for the people,” he said.
