MELAKA: Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Lim Ban Hong made nomination day here a true "muhibbah" event when he entered the hall at Krubong Sport Complex with two of his best buddies – one from Umno and another from MIC on Saturday (Nov 5).
Lim made Datuk Seri Mohamad Ali Mohamad and Tangga Batu MIC chief Datuk MS Mahadevan his proposer and seconder, respectively.
"They are like my brothers and we have been close for a long time and shared joy and sorrow together," said Lim.
Mohamad Ali had earlier stated his full backing when the decision to hand over a parliamentary seat back to MCA to be contested in the 15th General Election (GE15) as the constituency was previously an MCA seat.
The Tangga Batu seat which was previously known as Batu Berendam parliamentary constituency has been entrusted to MCA by the Barisan Nasional leadership.
Mohamad Ali also pledged that 70 Umno branches in this parliamentary constituency would collectively back Lim.
Mahadevan said he had worked with Lim to resolve many grassroots issues since both of them previously served as executive councillors in the state government.
"Lim is a very humble person and always willing to help others," he said.
Lim will face Pakatan Harapan candidate Rusnah Aluai and Perikatan Nasional's Bakri Jamaluddin and Ghazali Abu of Gerakan Tanah Air.
The battle to wrest Tangga Batu turned into a five-cornered fight when an Asam Pedas restaurant owner also fielded his nomination papers at Krubong Port Complex here.
Mohammad Shahril Mahmood, 40, from Krubong, said he was putting his business aside for now to contest the seat for a corruption-free country.
He said an Independent should represent the constituents as candidates from political parties would keep silent even if they know their top leaders are corrupted.
"Give Independents a chance to enter the parliament and save the country," he added.
