Pros and cons in early naming of election candidates
(The Star) – Barisan Nasional leaders have discussed with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak the possibility of announcing the list of general election candidates early.
Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said there were pros and cons in an early announcement and that no final decision had been made on the matter.
The MCA president said an early announcement would give a candidate more time to prepare besides introducing himself or herself to the people.
Nevertheless, he also noted that those who were not in favour of the candidate would also have more time to sabotage him or her.
Speaking to reporters after chairing the state liaison committee meeting here yesterday, Dr Chua, who is also Johor MCA chairman, said in the past, candidates would only be made known just days before nomination day.
On Friday, Barisan secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor hinted that the names of Barisan candidates could be announced earlier.
On another matter, Dr Chua challenged DAP general election hopefuls to stay and serve in Johor if they wished to contest in the state.
“Locals are angry when they are forced to accept parachute candidates from Kuala Lumpur,” he said, adding that some said they wanted to contest in Johor because they were born in the state.
“I have served in the state for the past 26 years and I am still serving here despite not knowing if I will be a candidate in the coming elections.”
On the MCA’s mega dinners, he said there would be between 20 and 30 mega dinners nationwide in the next two months following the good response from the nine dinners this month.
“The dinners will be used to explain the country’s situation to the rakyat so that they will not be continuously misled by the Opposition.
“The Opposition, especially DAP, is good at talking but poor in delivery. DAP brands itself as a multi-racial party but does not dare contest in a non-Chinese majority seat,” he said, challenging the DAP to contest in a Malay majority seat.
Dr Chua also said that, of the RM500,000 proceeds from the mega dinner here, the MCA donated RM300,000 to Kulai’s Foon Yew High School while the balance went to Southern College.
He said about 15,000 people attended the dinner last night.
