SEREMBAN: Ahead of the Negri Sembilan polls on Saturday (Aug 1), MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said a Barisan Nasional government would protect Chinese primary schools and religious freedom.
Speaking at a ceramah of over 40 minutes in Temiang, Dr Wee said voters were being frightened into staying away from Barisan.
"In some areas they are telling people that if you support us, you cannot wear shorts and you cannot eat pork.
"This is only meant to make the Chinese community panic,” he added.
Dr Wee said Barisan could not form a majority state government without MCA and MIC.
"That is the reality of politics," he said.
He said MCA had proven itself with results, winning one Johor state seat in 2018, four in 2022 and eight at the recent state polls.
At the same time, Dr Wee recalled how the party had kept adjusting through its political low points.
He said voters should not let the state assembly to be dominated by one political party, and that they should give MCA a chance to go in and monitor the government.
Dr Wee also said DAP itself had once told people not to put all their eggs in one basket.
"The DAP will win seats here no matter what.
"So give MCA the chance to check and balance this government," he said.
Dr Wee said voters could also use their ballots to send Putrajaya a message over the rising cost of living.
He said people were being squeezed by cuts to petrol and diesel subsidies and higher electricity tariffs, while the switch to e-invoicing had pushed up the cost of doing business.
"Go home and look at your electricity bill, not the report card they give you," he said.
He said the result would not change the federal government, but every vote was a chance to be heard.
Barisan is contesting 25 of the 36 seats, with MCA fielding seven candidates. They include Temiang hopeful Dr Leaw Kok Chan and Rahang candidate Yap Siok Moy who were both present during the ceramah.
Negri Sembilan goes to the polls tomorrow.
