The Malaysian Insight

THE Tanjung Piai by-election result shows that the people want more than just a “clean” government, said Lim Guan Eng.

The finance minister said Malaysians want Pakatan Harapan to fulfil its election pledges, and the pact must ensure it delivers.

“Well done to Barisan Nasional and (former prime minister) Najib (Razak) over the by-election victory. For me, this is a clear signal that we must take heed of.

“The PH government has saved the nation from kleptocracy and brought back democracy. But that alone is not enough.

“A clean government is not enough. It is now time for us to fulfil our election promises,” he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur today.

On Saturday, BN’s Wee Jeck Seng was declared the winner of the Tg Piai contest with a massive 15,086-vote majority.

The MCA man got 25,466 votes, while his closest competition, Karmaine Sardini of PH, polled 10,380.

Gerakan’s Wendy Subramaniam won 1,707 votes, Berjasa’s Badhrulhisham Abdul Aziz (850), and independents Ang Chuan Lock (380) and Faridah Aryani Abd Ghaffar (32).

The by-election was called following the death of Md Farid Md Rafik, 42, on September 21 due to heart complications. He had won the seat for PH in last year’s general election.

Following the humiliating defeat in Tg Piai, PH leaders said they have taken note of the people’s sentiment, and that the pact must focus on keeping its election promises.

Lim dismissed claims that Chinese voters in Tg Piai rejected PH after he reduced government funding for the MCA-controlled Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) and Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC).

Utar received just RM1 million under Budget 2020.

The minister reiterated that Putrajaya will immediately reinstate funding of RM30 million per year for 2019 and 2020 if MCA relinquishes control over TAR UC.

“I am sure this is not the reason for the defeat in Tg Piai.

“PH must represent all races. I must stress that PH is a government for all.” – November 18, 2019.