CHECK & BALANCE: Local boy Tan Chee Teong is MCA’s candidate for Balakong

MCA HQ, 14 Aug – Representing the MCA President who is abroad, MCA Deputy President Datuk Seri Dr Ir Wee Ka Siong today introduced Tan Chee Teong, a homegrown Balakong boy who will represent MCA in the daunting battle for the state seat of Balakong in Selangor.

In thanking the party’s leadership for giving him the trust to contest in BAlakong, Chee Teong assured that “ as a local boy, I will try my best to carry the responsibility as an anak Balakong. It is most important to be the check and balance in the Selangor state government.” He also added that he felt proud to represent the party to contest.

Acknowledging that the support of young voters today was tilted towards Pakatan Harapan (PH), the married father of one son and two daughters stressed that “what is important is that we do what they want to move forward. As I hailed from the bottom, what they hope for, I can sense.” Calling on youths and all BAlakong voters for their support to move forward, Chee Teong expressed, “what the rakyat want, we will give in the Selangor state Legislative Assembly.”

MCA entering contest with own emblem

Earlier in announcing that MCA would field Chee Teong, Ka Siong conveyed that the candidacy of the Balakong native is a historic first for MCA as the party would be running on our own emblem.

He reiterated the party’s resolve to carry our own emblem into this by-election and that it was a  collective decision made by the MCA Central Committee during its meeting on 10 August 2018. Ka Siong also pointed out that this decision to go on our own logo was also “formally informed to all Barisan Nasional’s component parties and other parties previously allied with BN.” 

As to whether MCA resorting to using our own logo is in compliance with regulations set out by the Registrar of Societies (RoS), Ka Siong said, “Let me tell you a secret. The coalition whether Alliance or BN comes from MCA. MCA was formed in 1949, before BN. Many years ago we registered MCA as a party. There is no problem, issue on that unlike PH: They opted for a logo, they went for a registration, (and the logo) just (received the ) ok for approval. Many years ago, we (MCA) can either use the BN or MCA logo

Reneged promises by Pakatan Harapan reason to vote MCA. It is not prohobited at all. We have checked. Don’t forget, in the last GE, DAP used their own Rocket logo in Sarawak, whereas in Peninsular Malaysia, they opted for PKR. They had a choice.”

To a question if MCA using our own logo was a sign that MCA is going separate ways from our BN coalition since only MIC and MCA are left, and if this means MCA is going on our own, the Ayer Hitam MP responded that “that is your assumption. I do not want to jump into any conclusion that we will stay away from BN. Our immediate task is to garner as many votes as possible.”

Highlighting on the follies of the Pakatan Harapan governments at both state and federal levels, Ka Siong took exception that “many promises are not kept. I urge voters not to slip this opportunity and vote for us, PH made promises but cannot keep.” Flanked by MCA Bangi Division, MCA Selangor State Liaison Committee leaders and Balakong by-election operations director Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, Ka Siong emphasised that “many people are disspointed in PH’s failure to fulfil promises. We urge voters in Balakong to give us the vote to oppose PH.”

Ballot target?

While Ka Siong mentioned that MCA welcome the support from all to garner more votes, he reminded that the party has to be pragmatic and realistic. Responding to a reporter on what MCA’s targets are ie if the party expects to slash the majority, Ka Siong requested, “I urge voters in Balakong to give us a chance. We have to be more realistic and we will work hard, rather than say this is our target 10,000. I can’t say this is my target, and next round, that is my target. I have to be realistic.”

Highlighting on the follies of the Pakatan HArapan governments at both state and federal levels, Ka Siong took exception that “many promises are not kept. I urge voters not to slip this opportunity and vote for us, PH made promises but cannot keep.”

Reiterating the need to be realistic and pragmatic on our aspirations for the by-election, Ka Siong admitted that “definitely this is a tough battle. We lost our deposit in last GE. We must strive hard and improve on this.”

To a somewhat sarcastic or disdainful question as to whether MCA’s target is not to lose our deposit, the MCA number two confidently countered, “that target is too low for us because the target needs to get 12.5%. Last GE, we got 10-plus something percent.” Adding that “with support of both political divides, we are able to do, as compared to the last GE. We will not set a specific target. Of course we want to win.”


Keeping humble, Ka Siong gave a picture of the uphill battle MCA has to overcome. “With a majority of 35,000 achieved by (the late) Eddie Ng, I don’t think anyone with the right frame of mind can think they will win. We have to be realistic.”

Campaign strategy 

Responding to a question on what special campaign strategy that MCA wukk be adopting, if it would be 21 days of door-to-door campaign, or nightly ceramahs, or what issues that MCA would focus on, the MCA Johor chairman informed, “if I can tell you what my strategy is, it is not a strategy. In less than 2 over days, wait and see, we will move to Balakong together.

Little bit more about candidate Tan Chee Teong

Chee Teong is a local boy, born and bred in Balakong. Educated in Yu Hua Chinese primary and secondary schools, he is currently a businessman who still operates in Balakong. He was selected to be MCA’s candidate because as Ka Siong informed, “as a homegrown boy, he has an advantage.”

MCA as a party which provides opportunities for all to shine. This point was made clear by Ka Siong when he reinforced that “although Chee Teong does not hold a high post in in party or division, he is Committee member of MCA Bangi formerly known as MCA Serdang” prior to the constituency redelineation by the Election Commission. As an MCA Bangi Committee member, he is an activist in MCA Youth at the state and national levels.” His brief profile is available here: http://www.mca.org.my/2/Content/SinglePage?_param1=14-082018-164416-08-201814&_param2=TS   

Conceding that the party knows this contest “is not a simple hurdle, we are underdog”, Ka Siong declared that nevertheless, “we are determined to do our best.” 

There will be a getting-to-know you session in the evening of 15 Aug 2018 in the constituency. MCA will present an individual who knows and comprehends local issues.

On the choice of candidate as to why an older, experienced one will not be fielded, Ka Siong retorted, “are u saying we must only use old people and can’t give the youths a chance? Balakong is a fast growing town. I am not saying they are no good, but they are the advisers. We form a team. It is not only one person. He gets backing from more than one person.”

The seat fell vacant following the death of DAP incumbent Eddie Ng in an automobile accident on 20 July 2018. Jia You to all candidates, but please, do give MCA your support to enable the Opposition to have a louder voice in the Selangor state Legislative Assembly from the 5 currently out of 56 elected representatives.

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