Let’s work together: (From left) Chong, Dr Wee, Megat, Mah, Yip and Wong with others in a group shot during the event in Taman Sri Gombak. — SHAARI CHEMAT/ The Star
GOMBAK: The strong show of support from MCA for Barisan Nasional candidates in all six state elections is a continuation of the cooperation among coalition component parties.
“We (in Barisan) have worked together in the Tanjung Piai by-election (2019) and again in the Johor election, held last year.
“This is a continuation of that tradition, and we urged the Chinese community in Gombak Setia to lend their support to Megat,” said MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
He had yesterday led a team of MCA top leaders to rally support for Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin, who is the Barisan candidate for the Gombak Setia seat in the Aug 12 polls.
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 in steering the state towards a better future.
Dr Wee gave an example from his tenure as Transport Minister, during which he renegotiated with Amirudin the East Coast Rail Link project route.
“Initially, before 2020, it was decided (by the Pakatan government) that the proposed route would be changed to the Southern Alignment (via Seremban and Putrajaya)
“However, following the renegotiation, we came up with the decision to restore the northern alignment (via Bentong and Gombak),” he said.
Dr Wee was met at a ceramah at Pusat Wargamas Sri Gombak in Taman Sri Gombak, Selangor.
Accompanying him were MCA deputy president Datuk Mah Hang 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-cornered fight against Perikatan Nasional’s Muhammad Hilman Idham and Independent candidate Mohamed Salim Mohamed Ali.
In his speech, Megat expressed appreciation to MCA and its 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-cornered fight with PAS, with a 12,399-vote majority.
However, Hilman later left PKR to join Bersatu after the Sheraton Move in 2020.
