KUALA LUMPUR: MCA has been allocated an additional seat, Bandar Hilir, to contest in the Melaka polls, bringing its total to three.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said the decision was made following the final round of discussions between Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Perikatan Nasional's top leadership.
He said a letter of appointment had also been presented to the candidate, 38-year-old Jasmine Lok Huey Yee, who is with the Melaka Historic City Council.
Dr Wee said Perikatan would now contest six seats.
"MCA will contest Bandar Hilir, a constituency with a Chinese-majority electorate, alongside Machap Jaya and Klebang, which the party won in the 2021 state election.
"We have finalised all the necessary processes, including the presentation of the letter of appointment.
"The candidate will travel to Melaka to meet the Chief Minister and join the election machinery as we make our final preparations for nomination dayMCA leaders, including Dr Wee and deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, walked out of Barisan's candidate announcement at the Melaka International Trade Centre on Saturday (Oct 24), saying the seat allocation had been decided without the party's agreement.
Barisan had allocated two of the 21 seats it is contesting to MCA, down from the seven seats the party contested in the 2021 Melaka polls.
Meanwhile, Dr Wee said the party had received assurances from top Perikatan leaders that they were willing to let MCA contest the seat.
"I do not think this will be an issue, as we are familiar with the constituency and have a party member serving on the council.
"It is also a state seat under the Kota Melaka (parliamentary constituency) and one of our traditional seats.
"I believe this is a decision made by the top leadership of both Barisan and Perikatan as part of the process of finalising seat allocations," he said.
Dr Wee said MCA would do its best and carry out the necessary groundwork to help Barisan.
He also thanked the top leadership of Barisan and Perikatan for placing their trust in MCA.
"More importantly, we want to secure the people's support and a fresh mandate from the people of Melaka.
"We will work tirelessly together to do our best in the constituencies we contest," he said.
