CAMERON POLLS | Despite having pushed for BN’s dissolution during its annual general meeting last year, MCA is going all-out to support the BN candidate Ramli Mohd Nor in the Cameron Highlands by-election.
Among the MCA leaders present at the nomination this morning were vice-presidents Ti Lian Ker and Tan Teik Cheng, MCA secretary-general Chew Mei Fun, Wanita MCA chief Heng Seai Kie, and Youth chief Nicole Wong.
MCA deputy president Mah Hang Soon was also present to oversee preparations for the by-election.
On the morning of nomination day today, Mah led his party members in a show of force alongside BN supporters.
In addition, Cameron Highlands MCA Youth chief Lee Teng Wei told Malaysiakini yesterday that party president Wee Ka Siong will be arriving in the constituency tomorrow.
He said Mah and Chew had been in the constituency several days ago to oversee preparations for the coming by-election.
Meanwhile, when asked about relations between Umno and MCA, Ti (photo), who has been put in charge of MCA’s preparations, said the party's internal affairs have nothing to do with Umno.
He added that focus of the election should be on current affairs and local issues, but declined to discuss the matter further.
When met in Brinchang last night, Ti told Malaysiakini that MCA plans to make the by-election an issue-based polls, focusing on Pakatan Harapan’s apparent failure to uphold its own promises and to look after the welfare of the people.
It would also educate voters on the ruling government’s weaknesses, he added.
'Political breakthrough'
As for Tan, he said MCA would fully participate in the preparations for the polls to oppose Harapan, whether as a BN member or as an opposition party.
When asked about BN’s decision to field a candidate of Orang Asli descent, he said it was a political breakthrough for BN.
This, he added, is because Ramli was selected without following the old conventions on party hierarchy and with the consent of BN component parties.
Tan also termed it a return to BN’s collaborative spirit, but also a departure from purely race-based considerations in the selection of candidates.
“(Umno acting president) Mohamad Hasan and Pahang Menteri Besar (Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail) are better candidates, but they gave it to a non-party member.
"This is the BN spirit – inclusive and tolerant,” he said.
Tan (photo) said choosing an Orang Asli candidate would help deracialise Malaysia’s political culture, making it less likely for people to see things through a racial lens.
“Therefore, we at MCA fully support fielding an Orang Asli candidate.
"Even if you are from a minority race, we are willing to go beyond racial politics,” he said.
'The right choice'
Meanwhile, Wong lauded the decision to field a retired senior police officer as a candidate, saying that it is a bold decision and the right thing to do.
“It’s is bold because it does not follow the tradition of fielding a candidate of the same race. It is right because we must transcend race for our nation’s political future," she said.
Wong (photo) said this should be the future direction of Malaysian politics, where racial considerations are of secondary importance to a candidate’s abilities and image.
The by-election is a four-cornered fight, with polling day falling on Jan 26.
Apart from Ramli, the other candidates are Harapan’s M Manogaran, and independent candidates Wong Seng Yee and Sallehudin Ab Talib.
The racial composition in Cameron Highlands are Malays (33.7 percent), Chinese (29.5 percent), Indians (14.9 percent), Orang Asli (21.9 percent) and others.
The seat is traditionally contested by MIC, but the party has decided not to field a candidate and deferred the decision to the BN leadership instead, which ultimately picked Ramli.
- Mkini
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