The sympathy factor towards the late Karpal Singh and his family makes it harder for MCA to win the impending Bukit Gelugor by-election.
Such was the view shared by a number of MCA leaders when contacted by Astro AWANI on Sunday.
According to MCA youth chief Chong Sin Woon, the “Karpal Singh issue” has been played up by DAP to the hilt, and if the candidate who replaces the former MP is one of his children, MCA’s chances are very slim.
“The Karpal issue has overshadowed all issues,” said Chong. "Even if we bring in a famous candidate we might not even succeed in taking that seat."
However, he stressed that the correct candidate should be one that is young and new, is able to communicate and debate well in Parliament.
MCA, Chong explained, must break free from the image that it is being ‘shackled’ by old timers; and able to inject new ideas from the new generation.
MCA: BN needs to resolve hudud issue
For MCA’s Religious Harmony Bureau chief and lawyer Datuk Ti Lian Ker, the people’s sympathetic sentiments towards the former DAP chairman and veteran leader greatly jeopardises MCA’s chances.
"If voters vote on sentiments, whoever (BN candidate) that we put forth will not bring any meaning,” said Ti.
MCA Bangsar youth chief Chris Wong said that it was because the community sees Karpal as a ‘national hero’, they would inevitably vote for DAP in Bukit Gelugor.
Wong stressed that BN needs to resolve the hudud issue and the leakages found in the Auditor-General’s Report to win back the hearts and minds of the community.
Meanwhile, MCA Wanita chairman Datuk Heng Seai Kie said that MCA still had a chance if the candidate was one who has the spirit of the people (berjiwa rakyat) and is always ready to serve.
'Candidate must be voice of the people'
Heng said that the candidate must be able to fulfil all responsibilities of his or her constituency.
“The candidate must be able to fulfill his or her responsibility and be the people’s voice,” she said.
On Saturday, MCA shortlisted three names for the Bukit Gelugor by-election scheduled to be held on May 25.
Its president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said that the list of names will be handed over to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to be considered.
'MCA still needed'
Liow said that all candidates are locals and he was confident that one of them will be picked to be BN’s representative. He said that eventhough MCA lost in the 13th General Election, the party is still committed to serve the people in that area.
BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak said that MCA was an important partner in BN and it must remain as the voice and conscience of the Chinese community in the country.
Najib also welcomed MCA’s wishes to rejoin the cabinet, saying that the government needed the input and support of MCA to ensure that policies that are being drawn out benefit all Malaysians.
Such was the view shared by a number of MCA leaders when contacted by Astro AWANI on Sunday.
According to MCA youth chief Chong Sin Woon, the “Karpal Singh issue” has been played up by DAP to the hilt, and if the candidate who replaces the former MP is one of his children, MCA’s chances are very slim.
“The Karpal issue has overshadowed all issues,” said Chong. "Even if we bring in a famous candidate we might not even succeed in taking that seat."
However, he stressed that the correct candidate should be one that is young and new, is able to communicate and debate well in Parliament.
MCA, Chong explained, must break free from the image that it is being ‘shackled’ by old timers; and able to inject new ideas from the new generation.
MCA: BN needs to resolve hudud issue
For MCA’s Religious Harmony Bureau chief and lawyer Datuk Ti Lian Ker, the people’s sympathetic sentiments towards the former DAP chairman and veteran leader greatly jeopardises MCA’s chances.
"If voters vote on sentiments, whoever (BN candidate) that we put forth will not bring any meaning,” said Ti.
MCA Bangsar youth chief Chris Wong said that it was because the community sees Karpal as a ‘national hero’, they would inevitably vote for DAP in Bukit Gelugor.
Wong stressed that BN needs to resolve the hudud issue and the leakages found in the Auditor-General’s Report to win back the hearts and minds of the community.
Meanwhile, MCA Wanita chairman Datuk Heng Seai Kie said that MCA still had a chance if the candidate was one who has the spirit of the people (berjiwa rakyat) and is always ready to serve.
'Candidate must be voice of the people'
Heng said that the candidate must be able to fulfil all responsibilities of his or her constituency.
“The candidate must be able to fulfill his or her responsibility and be the people’s voice,” she said.
On Saturday, MCA shortlisted three names for the Bukit Gelugor by-election scheduled to be held on May 25.
Its president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said that the list of names will be handed over to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to be considered.
'MCA still needed'
Liow said that all candidates are locals and he was confident that one of them will be picked to be BN’s representative. He said that eventhough MCA lost in the 13th General Election, the party is still committed to serve the people in that area.
BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak said that MCA was an important partner in BN and it must remain as the voice and conscience of the Chinese community in the country.
Najib also welcomed MCA’s wishes to rejoin the cabinet, saying that the government needed the input and support of MCA to ensure that policies that are being drawn out benefit all Malaysians.
