Metro

Wednesday February 13, 2013

Chinese community’s trust in MCA growing steadily

By NELSON BENJAMIN
Nelson@thestar.com.my


Joining in the fun: Tee and his wife Datin Lee Choon Gouek with guests who attended his Chinese New Year open house in Pontian on Feb 10. Joining in the fun: Tee and his wife Datin Lee Choon Gouek with guests who attended his Chinese New Year open house in Pontian on Feb 10.

PONTIAN: The Chinese community’s trust in MCA has been growing as the party has been able to attract 80,000 new members in the last two years.

Its national organising secretary Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said the party now had more than one million members.

“I believe that the people have confidence in the party thanks to the Barisan Nasional leadership of the country and also programmes initiated by MCA.

All in the family: Pramila (right) with Mohana (second right) and their family at the open house. All in the family: Pramila (right) with Mohana (second right) and their family at the open house.

“Among them include various programmes including assistance for primary and secondary Chinese schools, kindergartens and even colleges.

“We also have other programmes including the 1MCA medical fund, insurance benefits, baby gift scheme and assistance to party veterans aged 60 and above,” he said when met at his Chinese New Year open house here on Sunday.

Tee, who is also Pulai Sebatan assemblyman, joked that previously it was difficult to get people to join but these days people with coming to their service centres and offices to sign up as members.

He urged the people not to be hoodwinked into casting their vote for the Opposition in the coming general election with various sweet promises.

“In 2008, they won in four states and what have they done. They squabble among themselves and are only good at talking, making sweet promises and complaining about Barisan’s policies,” he said drawing references to the issues facing the various Pakatan Rakyat component parties.

Tee also added that Johor would continue to be a stronghold for Barisan especially with the many mega projects taking place in Iskandar Malaysia and Petronas’ planned RM60bil refinery and petrochemical integrated development (RAPID) petrochemical complex in Pengerang.

“Johor’s investments have surpassed the RM100bil mark and this investment figures are expected to increase with more projects in the pipeline to help strengthen the state’s economy,” he said, adding that all these would lead to more job creation in the state.

Meanwhile, many of those who thronged the open house here, not just for the sumptuous food, but also to catch up with old friends.

Villager Mohamad Abdullah, 55, said that he and his family were elated to see their other friends from nearby villages at the event.

“I have not seen my friends for many months and this is a good time to have a good meal and catch up,” he said, adding that he enjoyed the nasi briyani, lontong and cendol.

He added that he has been coming for the open house annually and noticed the crowd larger this year.

“Maybe election year so more people are here,” he joked.

Another visitor at the event was S.Pramila, 37, along with her family and her daughter S.Mohana who could speak Mandarin.

“This is a good place to meet up with her friends and learning Mandarin has helped my daughter to converse and knowing another language,” she said, adding that they too enjoyed the food at the event.

Besides performances from a lion dance troupe, Tee and his wife Datin Lee Choon Gouek also handed out oranges to visitors.

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