The selection of MCA vice-president Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun as the candidate for the Kajang state by-election can be used as a yardstick to gauge the people's acceptance of MCA's new party leadership.
Deputy Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional (BN) Deputy chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said, as such, the opportunity to contest in the Kajang by-election should not be wasted even though certain quarters suggested that the BN should not contest.
"If this opportunity is not taken, then it is difficult to gauge the extend of acceptance by the Chinese community or the people towards the new MCA leadership," he told reporters after launching the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) programme at the Pagoh parliamentary constituency here on Sunday.
The Deputy Prime Minister said : "Whatever the decision, it will become an indication of where they (MCA) stand, the remedial measures that can be taken and the basic struggles that they want to fight for the Chinese community. Probably it can be delivered at a by-election such as this one," he said.
Muhyiddin said Chew was a suitable candidate because she was not only experienced in holding a post in the government but also a person with principles as well as having a good character.
Muhyiddin said, in this by-election, the new MCA leadership was given the opportunity to prove to the voters that they were ready to help the Chinese community.
"I think it is good that we give opportunity (to MCA) although there are suggestions for the seat to be given to a representative from other BN component parties," he said.
He said the BN would not give in easily to the opposition by not contesting despite being seen as the "underdog."
"If we do not contest, the opposition will use it as a platform to criticise government-related issues," he said, adding that the BN could also rebuke any allegations made by the opposition with clear and accurate information.
Meanwhile in Kuala Lumpur, MCA President Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the party would stand up to the challenges at the Kajang by-election although it would be an uphill battle.
He said the party would not retreat although there were quarters calling them to do so.
"Based on the results of the May 5, 2013 general election, we are at a disadvantage, but we will display our new attitude in facing the polls. MCA is full of confidence in facing this by-election, and we will never give up," he said when speaking at the party's 65th anniversary celebration at Wisma MCA here.
Liow, who said the party was fielding a candidate with integrity, urged the Kajang voters to evaluate MCA's credibility and give the party a chance.
MCA will come forward and expose the true face of this party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat), by telling voters that this by-election was called for because of a personal struggle for power," he said, adding that it happened not for the interest of the voters but rather due to the selfishness of PKR leaders.
The Kajang state seat fell vacant after its incumbent, Lee Chin Cheh (PKR) who had won the seat by a 6,824 vote-majority after defeating five other candidates in the 13th general elections, resigned on January 27.
The Election Commission fixed March 11 for nomination and March 23 for polling.
Chew is expected to face PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and former Parti Kesejahteraan Insan Malaysia (Kita) president Datuk Seri Zaid Ibrahim.
Deputy Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional (BN) Deputy chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said, as such, the opportunity to contest in the Kajang by-election should not be wasted even though certain quarters suggested that the BN should not contest.
"If this opportunity is not taken, then it is difficult to gauge the extend of acceptance by the Chinese community or the people towards the new MCA leadership," he told reporters after launching the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) programme at the Pagoh parliamentary constituency here on Sunday.
The Deputy Prime Minister said : "Whatever the decision, it will become an indication of where they (MCA) stand, the remedial measures that can be taken and the basic struggles that they want to fight for the Chinese community. Probably it can be delivered at a by-election such as this one," he said.
Muhyiddin said Chew was a suitable candidate because she was not only experienced in holding a post in the government but also a person with principles as well as having a good character.
Muhyiddin said, in this by-election, the new MCA leadership was given the opportunity to prove to the voters that they were ready to help the Chinese community.
"I think it is good that we give opportunity (to MCA) although there are suggestions for the seat to be given to a representative from other BN component parties," he said.
He said the BN would not give in easily to the opposition by not contesting despite being seen as the "underdog."
"If we do not contest, the opposition will use it as a platform to criticise government-related issues," he said, adding that the BN could also rebuke any allegations made by the opposition with clear and accurate information.
Meanwhile in Kuala Lumpur, MCA President Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the party would stand up to the challenges at the Kajang by-election although it would be an uphill battle.
He said the party would not retreat although there were quarters calling them to do so.
"Based on the results of the May 5, 2013 general election, we are at a disadvantage, but we will display our new attitude in facing the polls. MCA is full of confidence in facing this by-election, and we will never give up," he said when speaking at the party's 65th anniversary celebration at Wisma MCA here.
Liow, who said the party was fielding a candidate with integrity, urged the Kajang voters to evaluate MCA's credibility and give the party a chance.
MCA will come forward and expose the true face of this party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat), by telling voters that this by-election was called for because of a personal struggle for power," he said, adding that it happened not for the interest of the voters but rather due to the selfishness of PKR leaders.
The Kajang state seat fell vacant after its incumbent, Lee Chin Cheh (PKR) who had won the seat by a 6,824 vote-majority after defeating five other candidates in the 13th general elections, resigned on January 27.
The Election Commission fixed March 11 for nomination and March 23 for polling.
Chew is expected to face PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and former Parti Kesejahteraan Insan Malaysia (Kita) president Datuk Seri Zaid Ibrahim.
