BN denies MCA not in on Sg Kandis campaign

SG KANDIS POLLS | BN has denied that its component party MCA is not participating in the upcoming by-election in Selangor's Sungai Kandis state seat.

BN deputy chairperson Mohamad Hasan said that although MCA may not be visible thus far, they are nevertheless involved.

“There are party leaders involved, but they are not visible. The MyPPP president (Maglin D’Cruz) and the Selangor MIC chief are also involved.

“MCA hasn't elected its Selangor chief yet, and is in the process of restructuring the party, but its liaison secretary did come (to the naming of the candidate) last night.

“So there is no question of BN not being represented by its component parties,” he said when met at the nomination centre today.

Mohamad also said that he hoped Kota Raja voters, especially those in the Sungai Kandis constituency, will give BN a chance at the by-election and BN needs to take the opportunity to raise the constituents' issues.

“We want to see whether we have generally improved, or the opposite. If we win, then Insya Allah."

Deal with PAS

PAS is not contesting in this by-election, which will see a three-cornered contestbetween Pakatan Harapan's Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni, BN's Lokman Noor Adam, and independent candidate Murthy Krishnasamy.

Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa (right in photo) hailed the cooperation with PAS as the result of successful negotiations.

"On our part, the main message (of the campaign) will be that we want to consolidate Muslim solidarity and unity, across political and party boundary lines.

“We are exploring how among Muslims and Malays especially, we can increase the level of understanding and cooperation, across political beliefs," he said at the same event.

“That's why we sat down and negotiated with PAS, and asked if they want to enter the contest, what would happen, and what would happen if they didn't.

“Therefore for the first time ever, we have broken the barrier in negotiating with PAS."

When asked if PAS would assist Umno in the by-election campaign, Annuar said the matter should be referred to the Islamist party.

What can be said, he noted, is that the parties are maintaining ties at the leadership level.

“Maybe they won't be on board, because they are the third bloc on a certain matter,” he said, without elaborating. - Mkini