GOMBAK: The MCA leadership has pledged their strong support for Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin, the Barisan Nasional candidate for Gombak Setia.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said the show of support was a continuation of the cooperation among Barisan component parties.
"We (in Barisan) have worked together in the Tanjung Piai by-election and again in the Johor election last year.
"This is a continuation of that tradition and we urge the Chinese community in Gombak Setia to support Megat," he said on Thursday (Aug 3).
Dr Wee said Megat's sound grasp of public administration matters and local issues gave him an advantage in managing the constituency.
He also expressed confidence in Selangor caretaker Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari's ability to steer the state towards a better future.
Dr Wee gave an example from during his tenure as transport minister when he entered a renegotiation with Amirudin over the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project route.
"Before 2020, it was decided that the proposed route would be reverted to the southern alignment.
"However, following the renegotiation, we came up with the decision to restore the northern alignment," he said after a ceramah at Pusat Wargamas Sri Gombak in Taman Sri Gombak.
Accompanying him were MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Han Soon and secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon.
Also present were MCA Youth chief Datuk Nicole Wong Siaw Ting and Gombak MCA chief Lawrence Yip.
The event, which was attended by some 400 MCA members, also included dinner and cultural performances.
Megat, who is Selangor Umno chief, will be in a three-corner fight against Perikatan Nasional's Muhammad Hilman Idham and Independent candidate Mohamed Salim Mohamed Ali.
In his speech, Megat expressed appreciation to MCA and their members for their show of support and solidarity.
He also reminded their supporters not to be complacent and to cast their vote on Aug 12 to ensure victory for Barisan.
"We need to send a message that there is no place for politics of hate in Gombak Setia or Selangor.
"Your votes are crucial to ensure a stable and prosperous Selangor for all," he said to loud applause.
In GE14, Hilman, then a Pakatan Harapan candidate, bested Megat in a three-corner fight with PAS, with a 12,399-vote majority.
However, Hilman later left PKR to join Bersatu after the Sheraton Move in 2020.
