IPOH: Barisan Nasional's new candidates for the 15th General Election have been unfairly banded together with the stigma of corruption, says Tan Sri Ong Ka Chuan.
The former MCA secretary-general said the new faces are innocent and should be given the opportunity to show what they can do.
"A lot of people will support (based on) a party, but not the candidates, so a lot of talented candidates may not have the chance to show what they can do.
"I feel it is unfair to them, as they are not involved in corruption and should not be associated with the illusion (that they are)," he said during a press conference here on Thursday (Nov 17).
"Don't tie big issues without basis with them, but instead give chances to support some of our young candidates who only wish to contribute and serve.
"Assess them based on their performance and not through stigma and illusions," he added.
Ong also said that Pakatan Harapan chairman and prime minister candidate Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is not a miracle worker who can immediately improve the economy when appointed to the post.
"In 1997, when Anwar was the Finance Minister, he had the chance to perform then.
"The ringgit was depreciating and almost hit RM5 to US$1," he said.
"It was much worse then and it was Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed who stepped in and pegged the ringgit at RM3.80," he added.
During the press conference, the candidates contesting in the Ipoh Barat constituency shared their vision and plans for their respective areas.
Low Guo Nan, who is contesting the Ipoh Barat parliamentary seat, said he would push for a safer environment in the city centre.
S. Jayagopi, who is contesting the Buntong state seat, said he wants to bring more development into the area, which he felt had become stagnant for about 20 years.
Albert Ho, who is standing in the Bercham state seat, said his plan was to help SJKC Bercham redevelop a block of dilapidated buildings, and would allocate RM100,000 into a building fund to start the ball rolling.
Lim Huey Shan, contesting in Kepayang, said he would also wish to develop the area between the Waller Court flats, Ipoh Old Town and the Ipoh Central Market as a Golden Triangle to boost the local economy.
