MCA claims 'cat can win' remark insults voters, Rafizi says it insults MCA

Rafizi Ramli appears to have stepped on Pandan MCA's tail with his remark that even if PKR fielded a cat, it would be able to retain the Pandan parliamentary seat.

According to Pandan MCA division chief Leong Kok Wee, the PKR vice-president has insulted the intelligence of voters in the constituency with this claim.

“We, as Pandan voters and residents, are angry and disappointed with his statement that PKR is confident of retaining the seat, no matter who is fielded as it is a PKR stronghold.

“We can think for ourselves. Whoever has done work here, we will vote for them. It is not like what Rafizi said. This is an arrogant statement (by Rafizi)…,” Leong told a press conference this afternoon.

During the press conference, placards were also held, which among others read, “People of Pandan will vote for a candidate who serves, not a cat from PKR.”

However, Rafizi denied that his remark insulted the voters.

“No. It does not insult the people of Pandan. I was actually insulting MCA. It shows that MCA is so weak that we will have no problems winning the seat,” he told Malaysiakini.

Rafizi, who is the incumbent MP for Pandan, would not be defending his seat in the coming general election.

The PKR vice-president is facing a 30-month prison term after being convicted of violating the Official Secrets Act (OSA).

While the matter is under appeal, the jail sentence would disqualify him as a lawmaker should the decision be upheld.

In the last general election, Rafizi won the Pandan seat with a whopping 26,729 vote majority.

Leong also claimed that voters in Ampang were disappointed with the lack of service from Rafizi.

Among others, he accused the PKR leader of failing to assist Pandan residents in clamping down on illegal factories and the construction of a new wet market.

“We received numerous complaints from residents who said it is difficult to meet him and the people there are disappointed with PKR.

“So I would like to tell Rafizi not to underestimate or insult the intelligence of the people of Pandan. We have the right to vote any candidate who has worked for us,” Leong added. -Mkini