In ‘Satay’ town, BN to go with Chew Mei Fun?

(MM) – MCA vice-president Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun is tipped to win the party’s nod to represent Barisan Nasional (BN) in the coming Kajang by-election.

Citing anonymous party sources, English daily the New Sunday Times (NST) reported that a recent MCA survey showed that Kajang constituents rate Chew more favourably than other possible runners.

“However, a list of possible candidates will be submitted to Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak, and he will make the final decision,” the source was quoted as saying.

“There is a 90 per cent chance that she will make the cut,” the source added.

When contacted by the paper, Chew declined to either confirm or deny the claim.

MCA previously said it had shortlisted three possible candidates to contest the by-election.

A multi-cornered contest is set to take stage in Kajang on March 23 with PKR de facto chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim contending against independent candidates former minister and once PKR member Datuk Zaid Ibrahim as well as Yuktes Vijay, a former aide to Anwar’s lawyers during the Sodomy II trial.

Friend-turned-foe Senator Datuk S. Nallakarupan, who heads the Malaysian Indian United Party (MIUP), has also offered to run against Anwar under BN’s ticket.

The NST reported today MCA central committee member Datuk Ti Lian Ker as saying that Chew, who used to serve as Petaling Jaya Utara MP and as the women, family and community development deputy minister, has a very good image.

“Her act of resigning as deputy minister and MCA Wanita chief in 2010 shows that she is a person of principle,” Ti was quoted as saying, referring to Chew’s resignation after Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek won the MCA presidency in 2010.

“She can give Anwar a good fight,” Ti added.

PKR’s Lee Chin Cheh resigned suddenly and without reason as Kajang assemblyman late in January, triggering a by-election for Anwar to contest.

The unforced resignation is fuelling rumours that Anwar plans to join the state assembly for the purpose of removing Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim from his post as Selangor mentri besar.

The by-election will be held on March 23 and nominations are scheduled for March 11.

PKR’s Lee won the Kajang seat in with a 6,824-vote majority in the elections held last May.

The Kajang constituency is 48 per cent Malay, 41 per cent Chinese and 10 per cent Indian.