AYER HITAM: The tendency for Barisan Nasional and MCA to avoid placing “parachute candidates” to contest in elections is a strong point that is favoured by the people, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The MCA president said that anyone can speculate who will be a candidate in the 15th General Election (GE15) for the Johor Barisan seats, but the final decision will only be known on Nov 3.
Last-minute changes, if any, are normal, as Barisan has gone through this process for decades in a harmonious environment, he added.
“If you ask a hundred people where Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein will contest, I am sure all of them will answer in Sembrong. But the final decision will only be known on Nov 3, so let’s wait for that announcement, which is less than a week from now.
“Of course, sometimes, some speculation might be true, but there are also times where there are changes up to nomination day itself – as long as this is done harmoniously, there is no issue,” he told reporters after the presentation ceremony for Bantuan Lesen Memandu Keluarga Malaysia (BLKM) at SMK Suria, Parit Raja, here yesterday.
Dr Wee was responding to questions on a supposed Barisan candidate list, which apparently listed his name as a contestant for the Ayer Hitam parliamentary seat.
Asked about the progress on seat negotiations within Barisan, he said everything has been going smoothly and the election machinery is ready to be mobilised.
“We will wait for the announcement, and as of now, we are ready to do what needs to be done, to give our best to the people and let them decide what is best for them,” he added.
Asked to comment on DAP’s decision to have Johor DAP vice-chairman Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali contest in Ayer Hitam, Dr Wee said he has no power to stop anyone from contesting the seat.
“We will welcome anyone who comes, regardless of whether it is Sheikh Umar, Tony Pua (incumbent Damansara MP) or even Johor DAP chairman Liew Chin Tong, because at the end of the day, the people will decide for themselves who has been with them through all this time.”
At another programme to officiate the Dewan Muafakat Ayer Hitam with Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Dr Wee, who is the Ayer Hitam MP, reiterated the importance of teamwork to make things work.
“Just like the construction of the hall, I would say that teamwork and mutual agreement is very important. This is where we witness people of various backgrounds under one roof.
“This spirit of unity should be maintained so that future generations can continue to enjoy the blessings of living in a plural society,” he said, while also thanking Onn Hafiz for prioritising development in the state.
Dr Wee noted that the RM9mil allocation to upgrade the road from Ayer Hitam to Yong Peng showed that the state government under Barisan was always steadfast in championing the people’s need and committed to Ayer Hitam’s development.
