MCA to discuss Tanjung Piai by-election on Thursday

MCA’s central committee is expected to discuss the upcoming Tanjung Piai by-election during a meeting on Thursday.

The committee is expected to discuss whether to field a candidate in the seat, which is traditionally contested by MCA, or make way for its ally Umno to contest the seat instead.

MCA national organising secretary Ling Tian Soon said party president Wee Ka Siong (photo, above) is returning from China tonight to chair the meeting Thursday.

He told Malaysiakini that since the incumbent Dr Mohamed Farid Md Rafik’s death on Sept 21 was unexpected, the by-election was not part of the meeting’s agenda.

Nevertheless, he said current affairs would also be discussed at each meeting, so the by-election was expected to come up in the upcoming meeting as well.

Wee had departed on Friday last week to attend the 16th China-Asian Expo and 4th China-Asean Business Leaders’ Summit. He was accompanied by MCA vice president Tan Teik Cheng, who also chairs the party’s committee on the One Belt One Road Initiative.

Farid, who is the deputy national unity and social wellbeing minister, had died of a heart attack, paving the way for the ninth by-election since the 14th general election last year.

Although Tanjung Piai is customarily contested by MCA as part of the BN coalition, Umno has been lobbying to contest in the by-election.

When contacted, Tanjung Piai MCA chief Wee Jeck Seng and youth chief Heng Zhi Li both told Malaysiakini that the division would leave the decision whether to contest to the party central committee.

Jeck Seng said while the division was waiting for the committee’s decision, he had already met party member and activated the party’s campaign machinery in preparation for the by-election.

He said he would personally lead MCA’s efforts in the by-election campaign.

“I am the division chief, of course I will be working on this since I’m more familiar with the situation,” he said.

Jeck Seng had won the Tanjung Piai seat during general elections in 2008 and 2013, and once held office as deputy youth and sports minister.

He defended his seat during the general election last year but lost.

Asked if he was prepared to contest the seat again, Jeck Seng he was willing but stressed the matter is up to the party’s central committee to decide.

“I was the previous MP. Of course, I’m willing but that’s not up to it me. Wait for the party to decide,” he said.

During the 14th general election, Farid had pulled a surprise victory by garnering 21,255 votes against Jeck Seng’s 20,731 votes. PAS’ Nordin Othman received 2,962 votes.

The seat was traditionally contested between MCA and DAP, but DAP had given up the seat to Bersatu. - Mkini