KOR MING ROLLS OUT THE CHARM AT TELUK INTAN, EVEN MAH SIEW KEONG IS FETED

“Let me serve you,” said a smiling DAP’s Nga Kor Ming as Gerakan’s Mah Siew Keong approached his tent. “No need, no need,” responded the latter, with an equally warm smile.

This was the scene under the sweltering heat as the two rival candidates for the Teluk Intan parliament seat canvassed for Indian votes at the annual “Chitra Pournami” festival in Teluk Intan.

Earlier, Nga broke the ice when he sent a cup of ice-cold water to Mah, when he approached his tent, after visiting the stalls along the road, shook hands with voters and posed for photographs.

Nga’s team had erected two large tents to distribute ice-cold drinks and Chinese fans to the visitors.

This is the first time Nga, who is also Perak DAP chief, and Mah, who is Gerakan president, met since the duo filed their respective nomination papers.

Nga, who was the former Taiping MP, is hoping to defeat the incumbent and DAP has promised voters that he would be made a federal minister if Pakatan Harapan forms the next government.

Teluk Intan is a mixed seat with Indian voters comprising 19 percent of the electorate. Malay voters form the majority with 41 percent, followed by the Chinese at 40 percent.

Yesterday, Mah had attended a cultural event in conjunction with the “Chitra Pournami” festival organised by the Hilir Perak District Economic Development Society.

In his speech, the Gerakan president said he is proud how the various ethnic groups and religions co-exist in harmony in Teluk Intan.

“We have many cultures here, we also have tokongs (shrines), churches and mosques which are located side by side and there are no problems.

“We will also build an Indian cultural building here soon,” he added to applause from the crowd.

Mah also mentioned some of the development projects which would be completed soon, such as the West Coast Expressway, a gloves factory and so forth.

He said these projects would create employment opportunities for the people of Teluk Intan, especially the youth.

Meanwhile, Nambikei society president B Kalaivanar led the crowd to chant “Sokong Mah, Sokong Kong” (Support Mah, Support Kong).

Kong Sun Chin is MCA’s candidate for the Pasir Bedamar state seat, which is under the Teluk Intan parliamentary constituency.

Meanwhile, Nga told the media that he had obtained positive feedback from the Indian community in Teluk Intan.

“Many people say this time, there must be change. Many of them also took photos with me and I was moved by this,” he added.

According to their respective schedules, Nga would be visiting a Hindu temple tonight whereas Mat would be attending an event at SMK St Anthony.

– M’kini