MCA will not contest in Bukit Gelugor by-election

MCA will not contest in the Bukit Gelugor parliamentary by-election scheduled for May 25.

Its secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan made the official announcement on the matter at the Penang MCA office on Saturday evening.

He said that the decision was made in an emergency meeting presidential meeting held in Ipoh at 10 am and was approved by Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The decision not to contest in the by-election was made as MCA aims to concentrate on the Constitutional crisis sparked by PAS on the implementation of the hudud law in Kelantan.

Ka Chuan added that the party is also focusing on other vital issues which include concentrating its efforts for the 14th General Election.

The press conference was also attended by Penang MCA chairman, Datuk Paduka Chew Mei Fun.

The Election Commission has fixed May 12 as nomination day while early voting was set for May 21 and polling day for May 25.

The Bukit Gelugor parliamentary by-election is being held following the death of the incumbent, Karpal in a road accident on April 17.

The late Karpal, who was former DAP chairman, won the seat in the 2013 general election with a majority of 42,706 votes, beating BN candidate Teh Beng Yeam, who polled 13,597 votes.