The Malaysian Insight

MCA will name former Tanjung Piai MP Wee Jeck Seng as its candidate for the November 16 by-election, said party sources.

The Malaysian Insight learnt that the unanimous decision was made during the party’s central committee meeting on Friday.

Although MCA president Wee Ka Siong has yet to reach an agreement with Barisan Nasional on who will represent the coalition in the Tg Piai contest, said sources, it is likely that Jeck Seng will get the nod.

“Tg Piai Umno may have slight opposition and try to have an Umno candidate, but MCA will not back down.

“We won’t have anyone else running for the seat,” said a source, adding this is the only chance for MCA to restore its dignity.

The by-election was called following the death of Bersatu’s Dr Mohd Farid Mohd Rafik last month.

Jeck Seng is still seen as the best choice for BN, as he was beaten by only a slim majority of 524 votes in the last general election.

The MCA man has good support from Tg Piai’s Chinese and is known to have helped poor Malay families in the constituency, said the source.

Jeck Seng represented Tg Piai from 2008 to last year. The seat had been traditionally held by MCA since its formation.

However, the local Umno division has expressed interest in standing in next month’s polls.

It is learnt that BN chairman and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and a group of the pact’s leaders are expected to announce the candidate before the launch of the Tg Piai by-election operations room tomorrow.

Zahid on Thursday said he would make the announcement by November 2, which has been set for nomination.

“It is up to me (to decide on the candidate) after… a balanced and careful consideration with BN component parties.”

Figures from last year’s general election show that Tg Piai has 52,986 voters, of which 57% are Malays, Chinese (42%) and Indians (1%). – October 27, 2019.