KUALA LUMPUR — MCA, the second largest Barisan Nasional component party, is in the midst of finalising its list of candidates for the coming general election, said party secretary-general Kong Cho Ha.

He said the party had identified a significant number of new candidates for the coming elections but declined to give details.

He said the list would be submitted to the Barisan Nasional (BN) top leadership soon.

“In any election, definitely there will be new candidates. We have already drawn up the list which will be updated when the election gets nearer,” he said when contacted.

He did not rule out that some of the candidates who lost in the last general election would be reconsidered and renominated as candidates this time, but said the final decision depended on party president Dr Chua Soi Lek and the BN top leadership.

“If they are considered still winnable and are hard working and accepted by people, why not?,” he said.

For the coming general election, the party is likely to contest again in 40 parliamentary seats, which they target to win 25.

MCA expects to retain Alor Star, Kampar, Lumut, Tanjung Malim, Raub, Bentong, Pandan, Alor Gajah, Labis, Ayer Hitam, Tebrau, Gelang Patah, Kulai and Tanjung Piai.

It also targets to recapture Padang Serai, Gopeng, Selayang, Kelana Jaya, Klang, Wangsa Maju, Bandar Tun Razak, Kluang, Bakri, Bayan Baru and Seremban.

In the 2008 general election, MCA won only 15 parliamentary seats, compared to 31 out of 40 seats it garnered in 2004.

(Bernama)