SIMPANG RENGGAM: MCA remains firmly committed to Barisan Nasional's solo electoral strategy in Johor, says party president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, dismissing claims of a secret pact with Perikatan Nasional.
Describing the allegations as nothing more than a political tactic aimed at distracting the public, Dr Wee rejected suggestions that MCA had quietly aligned itself with the coalition.
"First, our opponents said MCA had 'walked over' to Perikatan, and now they claim we are working with PAS as well.
"From the very beginning, Barisan made it clear that we would contest the state election on our own," he said at the Simpang Renggam MCA division annual general meeting on Sunday (June 28).
Dr Wee also said MCA's request to contest 15 state seats was not a last-minute demand but a position the party had maintained from the outset.
He noted that Simpang Renggam has long been one of MCA's strongest and best-organised divisions, adding that he had been advocating for the Layang-Layang seat to be returned to MCA for more than two decades.
Dr Wee said the party's focus was on fielding capable candidates, adding that caretaker Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi believed MCA candidate Chua Jian Boon and his team were capable of serving the constituency.
Rather than being distracted by what he described as baseless allegations, MCA would concentrate on strengthening its election machinery and winning the support of voters, he added.
Under the Simpang Renggam parliamentary constituency are the Machap and Layang-Layang state seats, with Chua contesting Layang-Layang.
Dr Wee also attended the Iskandar Puteri MCA division annual general meeting, where he highlighted the party's efforts to promote younger leaders and women candidates.
He described Skudai candidate Tan Hiang Kee, better known as Ah Kee, as representing the future of MCA.
Of the 15 seats contested by MCA in the Johor election, seven candidates are from the party's Youth and Wanita Youth wings, while women make up almost 30% of the line-up.
"This is not just generational renewal. It reflects our commitment to empowering more women to lead and serve," he said.
Dr Wee reminded members that MCA could not take any constituency for granted.
"There are no safe seats for MCA. Every vote must be earned through hard work, sincerity and results.
"While our opponents continue to spread misinformation and launch political attacks, we will continue to respond with facts and our track record," he said.
