#PrkTgPiai : MCA wants to wrest PH seat

MCA, which narrowly lost the Tanjung Piai parliamentary seat in the last general election, is ready to wrest it from Pakatan Harapan in a soon-to-be-called by-election.

MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said they would hold a meeting to discuss its candidate once the Election Commission officially declares the seat vacant.

“We are ready to contest the seat. But for now, we only wish to convey our condolences to the family of Datuk Dr Md Farid (Md Rafik) on his passing.

“We will discuss the other issues like the candidate later,” Dr Mah said when met at a Mid-Autumn Festival event organised by Rasah MCA at Rasah New Village here.

Dr Md Farid Md Rafik, who was also Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, died of a heart attack on Saturday.

In the last general election, Dr Md Farid, who was from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, beat MCA’s Datuk Seri Wee Jeck Seng and PAS’ Nordin Othman with a majority of 524 votes.

Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had said that the party would discuss with its Barisan Nasional members on who would be fielded.

He said they would have to discuss thoroughly on who to field for the seat, which used to be a stronghold of MCA.

Dr Mah added that MCA had many candidates who could be fielded.

“We have always contested the seat and it would be unthinkable if we do not contest it again,” said Dr Mah.

“Barisan stands a good chance of wresting the seat as it had been working continuously since the last general election.

“We are confident as we never stopped working since 509 (May 5 last year when the general election was held),” he added.

The Star