Increased Chinese support for BN in Kajang by-election - Liow

Although PKR won the Kajang state by-election today, the results show an increase in support from Chinese voters towards Barisan Nasional (BN), says MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

He said support from Chinese voters increased by seven per cent to 25 per cent, as compared to the results of the 13th General Election.

"Overall, we are very satisfied with the achievements of the BN machinery, even though we lost in the by-election.

"The increase in support from Chinese voters proves that our sacrifices and hard work were not in vain," he told reporters at the MCA operations room headquarters here.

Liow described the by-election as a start for MCA to continue with its mission of transforming the party.

PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail won the by-election with l6,741 votes as compared to the 11,362 obtained by MCA candidate, Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, with a majority of 5,379 votes.

In the 13th General Election, Lee Chin Cheh (PKR) won the state seat in a six-cornered fight, with a majority of 6,824 votes.

"From the by-election, we know our strengths and weaknesses, and we will try to improve to effectively transform the party," said Liow.

On her part, Chew said she appreciated all the support, help and guidance she received from the BN machinery during the two weeks of campaigning in Kajang.

"Even though BN did not win, we managed to reduce the majority of the opposition and obtain a higher percentage of the Chinese votes as compared to the 13th General Election," said the MCA vice-president.

She said she would give full attention to the party's internal matters, including work in the three committees and bureaus under her, namely the social development committee, political education bureau and the Penang State Liaison Committee.

Chew also hoped that Wan Azizah would carry out her duties as Kajang state assemblyman with full dedication and fulfill the promises made in the manifesto she presented to the people.

Meanwhile, Dr Wan Azizah wants to give priority to fulfilling the promises she made in her manifesto.

"There are priorities that we have to look into, such as cleanliness and road congestion here," she told reporters.

Opposition Chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Pakatan Rakyat actually expected the reduction in majority percentage which was caused by voters being outside Kajang.

"We are very satisfied, the result is very reassuring as it shows the support of the voters for us," he said.