Chan Wan Loy is campaigning for Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon and Salina Samsudin in Behrang Ulu, Tanjung Malim.
TANJUNG MALIM: At 82, Chan Wan Loy is still going strong to help out on campaign rounds.
He was seen going from door-to-door to deliver pamphlets of Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, who is contesting the parliamentary seat here.
The 15th General Election (GE15) is also his 15th time participating in campaigning works.
He started helping out since the first general election in 1959, in which the parliamentary seat here was won by MCA’s Lee Seck Fun, who then defended it for another two terms.
Chan also campaigned for Datuk Mak Hon Kam (1974-1986), Datuk Loke Yuen Yow (1986-2008) and Tan Sri Ong Ka Chuan (2008-2018).
“The general elections then were more simple and 'gentleman'.
“There was no mudslinging or damaging of opponents’ campaign materials.
“It was more like a party with teams from different sides singing, chanting slogans and cheering to liven up the atmosphere,” he said.
Recalling those old days when the road system was not as advanced and resources were limited, Chan said he had slept on a lorry and took naps by the roadside.
“The first general election was messy. The ballot boxes came in very slow due to inadequate logistic support.
“We only finished counting at around 5am. That was the first time I stayed up until so late,” he said.
Chan, however, did not remember the total number of votes then.
The Behrang Ulu MCA branch chief said he joined the party by chance.
“I was a teenager and just finished Standard Six. Most people in my village were members, so I joined as well because we felt that we needed a platform to stay united,” he said, adding that he only started schooling at 12.
“After failing my LCE (which is equivalent to PMR), I helped out at the family’s rubber estate and began active in party activities,” he said.
Chan said his most memorable moment was when a big team of them headed to help out Tan Sri Lim Ah Lek, who was filled as the candidate in a by-election in 1989.
“We were supposed to meet up with the person-in-charge at Bentong toll plaza at 7am but all of us were in high spirits and overwhelmed by the election heat.
"Instead, we started our journey at 10pm and reached there a few hours earlier.“We did not know where to go, so we loitered around the highway and sang songs to keep the mood going.
“Those days, we went on outings and participated in cadre training courses together. We also stayed back and mingled till the wee hours after party meetings,” he said.
