BENTONG: Growth in Bentong has stalled since 2018 and the coming 15th General Election will be an opportunity for locals to ensure development in the parliamentary constituency, said former MCA president, Tan Sri Liow Tiong Lai.
According to Liow, there has been no continuous development in Bentong over the last four years, and locals are yearning for change in the Pahang district.
“I would humbly say that I can help locals in Bentong to continue with the development agenda,” said Liow during his speech at an event where he met locals in the Bentong Chinese Assembly Hall yesterday.
The event was attended by MCA veterans such as his predecessor, Tan Sri Lim Ah Lek, and also former party deputy president, Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy.
Chan, who also spoke at the event, said that Liow is a sincere leader who is always there to deal with problems in Bentong.
He gave several examples, such as how the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) stretch in Pahang was recently rerouted back to Bentong after the Pakatan Harapan administration tried to change it to a southern route that goes through Negri Sembilan.
“Liow approached me and then we decided to meet Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, where we all had a discussion on the matter.
Fresh start: (From left) Chan, Lim, Liow and MCA Publicity Bureau Deputy Chairman Wong Siew Mun with residents during the campaign programme at the Bentong Chinese Town Hall. — ART CHEN/The Star
“Finally, the ECRL track was realigned from Seremban to Bentong,” said Chan.
Chan also recounted the Kampung Baru Karak fire incident in October last year, where over 50 houses were razed.
“I immediately called Lim, and he said he could not sleep thinking of the fire. So, we went down and collected donations, resources, as well as expertise. Under Liow’s leadership, reconstruction of those houses finally started recently,” said Chan, who was born in Bentong.
Liow heads the Special Task Force for the Welfare of Karak Fire Victims, with Chan as the adviser for the task force.
On Oct 13, plans to rebuild the houses in Kampung Baru Karak finally took off, with victims expected to receive new homes by October next year.
“Liow made it (rebuilding) possible in less than one year. Bentong is always in his heart and that is why he ensured this issue was addressed,” said Chan, who added that despite retiring from politics in 2008, he chose to attend the event to lend support to Liow.
“As a voter in Bentong, I’m saying that Liow is a leader who’s humble, caring, honest and ready to serve,” added Chan.
At a press conference, Liow thanked Dr Wee for the party’s decision to field him in Bentong.
“Thank you to the locals and the many voices from villages and towns that have asked me to return to Bentong.
“After deep consideration, I decided to accept this candidacy and I will contest in Bentong,” said Liow, who added that DAP can never keep its leaders in the same constituency because their elected representatives are known to renege on their election promises and display poor performance.
“If you can’t put your heart and serve the people, how can you continue to contest?” Liow said, in apparent reference to DAP’s decision to drop incumbent Wong Tack in Bentong for GE15.
Liow said Wong’s decision to stand as an independent in GE15 will give Bentong voters an opportunity to score his performance since he was elected in 2018.
“Let the people judge. It’s not for me to judge, but Bentong has been left behind in the last four years.”
