KUALA LUMPUR – DAP vice chairman Teresa Kok has urged MCA to join forces with other component parties of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) unity government to secure victories in the upcoming Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections.
Kok said MCA has taken a stand prior to the six state elections that it will only campaign for Umno/BN candidates due to the relationships between the party and its coalition partners.
“We are entering the second leg of campaigns for the state and Parliament by-elections in Johor for Simpang Jeram and Pulai.
“However, the presence of MCA in the six state elections – a month ago – seemed dull, lacklustre and showed almost zero teamwork and partnership in campaigning, as opposed to Umno and even MIC leaders sharing the stage with PH leaders to bring voters and supporters together to secure a good turnout and a hopeful victory,” the Seputeh MP said.
Kok said MCA’s participation was important in countering the wave of lies, falsehoods, conservatism, and radicalism perpetuated by Perikatan Nasional (PN).
She stressed that the responsibility to combat fanaticism, extremism, and bigotry falls on all members of the PH-BN coalition, transcending party lines and ethnic boundaries.
Highlighting the principles embedded in MCA’s party constitution, which includes promoting national unity, social justice, and economic security while fostering goodwill among Malaysia’s diverse population, Kok urged MCA to heed the call for collaboration with other political organisations that share similar aims and objectives.
This, she argued, aligns with the vision of the unity government.
Kok further urged MCA to activate its machinery in Johor, where they hold four state assembly seats and two parliamentary seats, to ensure a successful outcome in the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections.
She noted these elections were an opportunity to send a strong message against PN’s “divisive tactics” and to support the unity government.
“A win in Simpang Jeram and Pulai is not only a win for PH-BN, but a slap in the face for PN that has been peddling hatred, lies, racism, and disunity amongst Malaysians,” she said in a statement.
“A win in Simpang Jeram and Pulai is a message of support for the unity government and a kick in the teeth for any attempt by PN to topple the PN-BN government.”
She said while PN goes by the mantra of “PN Best”, PH-BN goes by the mantra of “Malaysia Madani”, emphasising that they put Malaysia first above all else.
The Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections are poised for a three-cornered contest. The Pulai parliamentary seat will see Suhaizan Kayat from PH, Zulkifli Jaafar from PN, and independent candidate Samsudin Mohamad Fauzi.
In the Simpang Jeram state seat, PH’s Nazri Abdul Rahman will contend against PN’s Dr Mohd Mazri Yahya and independent candidate S. Jeghanaathan.
The polling day for both by-elections is scheduled for September 9, with early voting on September 5. The campaign period extends for 14 days, concluding on September 8.
The Pulai parliamentary by-election has 166,653 eligible voters, while the Simpang Jeram state seat has 40,379. The electoral roll used for the by-elections was updated as of July 23.
These by-elections were called after the incumbent for both seats, Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, passed away on July 23 due to a brain haemorrhage.
In her statement, Kok fondly praised the late Salahuddin as a “stalwart, a gentleman, a hardworking and dedicated servant of the people – our beloved Bapa Rahmah.” – September 2, 2023