BENTONG: Tan Sri Liow Tiong Lai’s contributions to Bentong over the last two decades have left an impression here and villagers are welcoming MCA’s decision to field the former transport minister as a candidate in the 15th General Election (GE15).
Residents across several villages spoke fondly of his return as a candidate in Bentong, and many described the 61-year-old former MCA president as a man who’s always one with the community.
Md Zulkifle Md Yunus, a village chief at Kampung Felda Lurah Bilut, spoke about Liow’s former tenure as MP, saying that he was always the first to respond to complaints on local issues and calls for assistance by villagers in need.
“A few years back, a villager approached me because she was a senior citizen needing assistance for an eye operation.
“I reached out to Liow for help and he assisted in sending her to Hospital Bentong and also in speeding up the process of getting an appointment with the doctor,” he added.
Md Zulkifle also said Liow was always present at community events and contributed resources as well as funds.
“He always helped the community, not just in organising charity events, but also raising funds to address local problems,” he added.
He said Liow assisted locals who had to face issues arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, floods, and also in pressuring the authorities into speeding up repair works in a road connecting Bentong to Raub.
The Bentong-Raub road, which was closed for nine months after it was damaged by the floods last December, was finally reopened earlier this month.
“It was also the road connecting Bentong to Bilut. Despite no longer being the MP, Liow would still spend time assisting us in Bentong,” said Md Zulkifle.
He did not hold back in his criticisms against the incumbent DAP MP Wong Tack, saying there was a lack of development across Bentong since 2018.
Similar sentiments were expressed by Kampung Kemansur village chief Phan Tian Hock, who regarded Liow as a man of his word.
“When we complain about local issues, he will get things done and gather the necessary resources,” he said. Phan also credited Liow and his team with helping his village, which was badly affected by the floods last December.
“We hope Liow will return as an MP and I’ve told villagers this – that problems can be easily solved with his presence,” he added.
Kampung Kuala Repas village chief Tan Swee Cheong also shared his experience of seeing Liow’s team assisting villagers during the floods last December.
“Liow asked us what we needed. He contributed not just funds, but also with the resources we needed after the floods,” he said.
Tan also credited Liow with ensuring that the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) track was realigned from Seremban back to Bentong.
Bell Tamil Bentong Youth Club chairman S. Prathap said during Liow’s tenure as MP from 1999 to 2018, there were many business and job opportunities for youths.
“He assisted the Indian, Malay and Chinese community. No one was left out. We want Liow back in Bentong,” he added.
Prathap said Liow also encouraged local entrepreneurship via the Bentong Walk in Jalan Chui Yin, which began in 2015.
“It was one of the places where youths could make a decent living,” he added, urging voters in Bentong to cast their ballots wisely in GE15.
“We have been lied to once and I’m hoping it won’t happen a second time. Vote for stability, harmony and prosperity in Bentong,” said Prathap.
Bentong is shaping up to be a multi-cornered fight between Liow, Wong and DAP’s Young Syefura Othman.
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