The New Straits Times, 22 February 2014
KUALA LUMPUR: Weeks of speculation over who will be Barisan
Nasional’s candidate for the Kajang by-election ended yesterday when
deputy chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that MCA
vice-president Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun would bear the coalition’s
torch.
BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the coalition would throw its full support behind Chew to wrest the seat from PKR.
“We will go in as the underdogs this time, but we will try our level best to ensure the best possible outcome,” said Najib.
He said this in a press conference after chairing the Umno supreme council meeting at the party's headquarters in Putra World Trade Centre here yesterday.
Shortly before the meeting, Muhyiddin announced that Chew had been picked to contest the seat, which fell vacant after PKR assemblyman Lee Chin Cheh resigned on Jan 27.
The announcement also put to rest speculations that BN would not be contesting the seat.
Muhyiddin said the decision by BN to field a candidate was done to uphold the spirit of democracy and after consulting with various parties.
"Kajang voters have a right to make a choice.
"We cannot allow the opposition to win uncontested.
"This is the best platform for BN to explain certain issues close to the people's hearts.
"If we give way and let the opposition win uncontested, the people will only know one side of the story, which is not fair."
Muhyiddin said Chew was the best candidate to contest against opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who announced his candidacy on Jan 28.
Among those present at the press conference were BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel.
The Kajang by-election will be held on March 23, with nomination set for March 11.
After her candidacy was announced, Chew expressed confidence that she could do a good job if elected.
She was the Petaling Jaya Utara member of parliament from 1999 to 2008 and said based on her experience, she could serve the constituency well.
In George Town, Penang MCA announced that it would send a strong team to assist Chew. Additional reporting by Audrey Dermawan and Carisma Kapoor
“We will go in as the underdogs this time, but we will try our level best to ensure the best possible outcome,” said Najib.
He said this in a press conference after chairing the Umno supreme council meeting at the party's headquarters in Putra World Trade Centre here yesterday.
Shortly before the meeting, Muhyiddin announced that Chew had been picked to contest the seat, which fell vacant after PKR assemblyman Lee Chin Cheh resigned on Jan 27.
The announcement also put to rest speculations that BN would not be contesting the seat.
Muhyiddin said the decision by BN to field a candidate was done to uphold the spirit of democracy and after consulting with various parties.
"Kajang voters have a right to make a choice.
"We cannot allow the opposition to win uncontested.
"This is the best platform for BN to explain certain issues close to the people's hearts.
"If we give way and let the opposition win uncontested, the people will only know one side of the story, which is not fair."
Muhyiddin said Chew was the best candidate to contest against opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who announced his candidacy on Jan 28.
Among those present at the press conference were BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel.
The Kajang by-election will be held on March 23, with nomination set for March 11.
After her candidacy was announced, Chew expressed confidence that she could do a good job if elected.
She was the Petaling Jaya Utara member of parliament from 1999 to 2008 and said based on her experience, she could serve the constituency well.
In George Town, Penang MCA announced that it would send a strong team to assist Chew. Additional reporting by Audrey Dermawan and Carisma Kapoor
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