'War trucks' hauling MCA's check-and-balance ambition

BALAKONG POLLS | Regular visitors to the market or hawker centres in the Balakong constituency would be hard-pressed to miss MCA's "war trucks" which have been crisscrossing the area.

This fleet of five vehicles - consisting of two modified cargo trucks and three four-wheel-drive pickup trucks - are decked with sound systems and MCA colours. At night, these vehicles would park at crowded areas and serve as the stage for political speeches.

Four vehicles were prepared by the party while one truck was a loaned vehicle driven by Tan Kim Huat, 68, the father of MCA candidate Tan Chee Teong.

Once a day, Kim Huat will drive Chee Teong to the market to campaign or conduct door-to-door visits.

For Kim Huat, the war trucks not only provided MCA with the visibility but also convenience.

"It's easier for us to access villages and set up the stage. We just need to place a plank on two drums and we have a rostrum to speak on," he told Malaysiakini.

MCA vice-president Chew Mei Fun, who is Chee Teong's campaign manager, said the "war truck" technique helped the party save cost.

"We're keeping campaigning simple... We just need stickers, loudspeakers and drivers to send our message on the need for check-and-balance," she said.

Over the past two weeks, MCA's top brass such as Liow Tiong Lai, his deputy Wee Ka Siong and MCA Youth chief Chong Sin Woon were spotted on these spartan war trucks, a far cry from the large stages they were used to during previous campaigns.

Chew said this was not the first time the party was deploying war trucks nor did they pick up the idea from Pakatan Harapan parties.

"In the past, we've had war truck convoys. They didn't have that," she said.

The strategy's efficacy, however, is in question as Malaysiakini has observed that few people crowd around the trucks to listen to speeches. It was also observed that generally, the turnout at the Harapan stages are better.

For Chew, this was not a major set back.

"We will play it slow. We are expecting better results this time around," she said.

Kim Huat, an MCA member for the past 40 years, conceded that war truck or not, his son has a tough battle ahead.

"There are people who scolded us (while we were campaigning). They tried to chase us away... It has been happening since 2008. I was angry at the time, but I'm used to it now.

"I hope (Chee Teong) can win, or least retain his deposit," he said.

The Balakong by-election on Sept 8 will see a straight fight between Tan and Harapan candidate Wong Siew Ki.

The by-election was called following the death of incumbent DAP assemblyperson Eddie Ng in a road accident on July 20. Ng had retained the seat during the May 9 election by a landslide against opponents from PAS and MCA. -Mkini