The Malaysian Insight

MCA’S victory at the Tg Piai by-election has lifted the mood at today’s annual general meeting (AGM), after a disappointing outing in last year’s 14th general election.

Alvyn Chiang from the Bagan Datoh division told The Malaysian Insight that Wee Jeck Seng’s Tg Piai win will boost members’ low morale.

He added that while the win is an indication of the people’s dissatisfaction with the government of the day, it may not guarantee success in the next general election.

“If MCA becomes complacent, the 15,000-vote majority will only be history, not to be repeated again,” said Chiang, who is also a central committee member.

“I hope MCA can connect more with the Malay community, and understand their feelings. This will be a good thing for the party.”

Meanwhile, central committee member and Pagoh division chief Lim Pay Hen said members are feeling positive after the Tg Piai victory.

“BN (Barisan Nasional) has obtained an overwhelming majority of votes, and Chinese support have returned. It is like ‘a shot in the arm’ not because MCA is doing well but because PH (Pakatan Harapan isn’t doing well.”

He added the Tg Piai win is an isolated one and that is driven by the PH government’s blunder in handling the Tunku Abdul Rahman university college (Taruc) funding and introducing khat writing in vernacular schools.

BN’s own set of issues such as the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal and the Umno-PAS alliance were overshadowed by the voters’ will to teach the current government a lesson, he said.

Meanwhile, Gersik division chief Chew Swee King said the Tg Piai win serves as a motivation for the party to continue its fight.

He said support will return if DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng continues to “campaign to suppress” MCA.

“We hope Lim will continue to be MCA’s ‘best campaigner’. If he keeps suppressing MCA and messing up Taruc, voters will back MCA.”

Siew Shen Koe of the Sepang youth division said the victory at Tg Piai proves MCA’s campaign to serve and champion the people’s cause has worked.

Voters are tired of MPs who rarely serve their constituencies, he said.

“We are not being arrogant because we won. We understand that winning the by-election does not mean we have regained the Chinese support.  We shouldn’t repeat past mistakes.”

Tan Jie Sen of Puchong MCA youth said the win has helped senior members regain their spirits and enthusiasm as it shows the party is still received by the Chinese.

He said the success in Tg Piai can be attributed to Wee’s diligence and his love for the voters.

MCA suffered a catastrophic defeat in the last election, winning only one parliamentary seat – Ayer Hitam – clinched by party president Wee Ka Siong.

However, Tg Piai has paved way for an entry of another MCA MP in Parliament. – December 1, 2019.