KLUANG: “Love Kluang” is the tagline adopted by Barisan Nasional candidates contesting the parliamentary and state seats here for the coming general election.

During a Chinese New Year event organised by the Kluang MCA division, party president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai announced the candidates.

Division chief and former Mengkibol assemblyman Gan Ping Sieu will stand in Kluang while his deputy Datuk Chin Sim Lai will go for the Mengkibol state seat.

Present to show support were Mahkota assemblyman and Johor Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Md Jais Sarday, Johor MCA deputy chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong, Barisan division leaders and representatives of NGOs.

Liow said MCA would continue to preserve harmony and unity, and prevent religious and racial extremism from taking root.

Gan (left) and Chin were also at the celebration.

“Chinese participation in the government is very crucial to ensure the voices of the community are heard.

“We cannot afford to stay out as then, government resources could not be utilised to help in the development of Kluang,” Liow said.

Gan said Kluang MCA had continued to serve the people and persevered over the past five years.

“Now, we’re all prepared to go for battle and we do not take the people’s support for granted,” he said.

Gan said with the support from Md Jais and other Barisan component leaders, they had a high degree of trust and cooperation.

“Whatever decisions and programmes held were in the best interest of the people.

“Hence, this tagline as we are all anak jati (true children of) Kluang,” Gan said to loud applause.

Chin concurred with Gan, saying that teamwork was important and that more basic amenities and job opportunities were needed.

-The Star-