KUALA LUMPUR: MCA has secured a third seat for the Melaka election, with Bandar Hilir added to its line-up following further negotiations.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic) said the decision was made following the final round of seat-allocation 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 candidate Jasmine Lok Huey Yee, 38, who serves at the Melaka Historic City Council.
Following the decision, Dr Wee said MCA would contest three seats, while Perikatan would contest six in the election.
“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.
“The decision was made today (yesterday), and we have finalised all the necessary processes, including presenting 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 day this Saturday,” he said at a press conference at Parliament yesterday.
MCA leaders, including Dr Wee and deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, walked out of Barisan’s candidate announcement last Saturday, saying the seat allocation had been decided without the party’s agreement.
Barisan had allocated MCA two of the 21 seats it is contesting, down from the seven seats the party had contested in 2021.
Dr Wee said he had also received assurances from top Perikatan leaders that they were willing to let MCA contest Bandar Hilir as MCA had contested the seat previously.
“I do not think this will be an issue, as we are familiar with the constituency and have a member serving on the council. It is also one of the state seats under Kota Melaka 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 all seat allocations.”
Dr Wee said MCA would do its best and carry out the necessary groundwork to help Barisan form the state government.
He 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.”
