Winning formula for BN

IPOH: Barisan Nasional will work out a formula to ensure the coalitions victory in the next general election, including the possibility of swapping seats, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said.

The MCA, he said, would not pressure its counterparts for more seats to contest.

He said it was pointless if the additional seats alloted were lost to Opposition parties.

Merdeka spirit: Dr Chua (centre), Perak MCA officials and Kinta Height residents waving the Jalur Gemilang in Ipoh Sunday.

As long as the candidate stands a good chance to win, it does not matter which Barisan component party he or she is from.

We are open for discussion in line with the spirit of Barisan, he said after opening the Buntong Barisan Nasional service centre here yesterday.

Dr Chua maintained that MCA would field candidates in seats which the party was confident of winning, adding however that the party would give its full support to candidates from other component parties who stood a better chance.

The MCA, he said, was optimistic of performing better than it did in the last general election.

Dr Chua said his confidence stemmed from the fact that voters had the tendency to change their minds.

I am an optimist. I feel our chances in all constituencies are still bright.

In addition, the voters are able to gauge for themselves the problems affecting Pakatan Rakyat, he said.

In the last general election, MCA contested in 40 parliamentary seats and 90 state seats. The party won 15 parliamentary and 31 state seats.

Dr Chua said many promises made by Pakatan representatives who won in t! he last election had not been fulfilled.

Many of these high-profile assemblymen and parliamentarians were also difficult to be reached or seldom seen by voters in their constituencies, he said.

They are good orators and project themselves as heroes in Parliament and state assemblies but they cannot resolve the peoples woes.

When the election nears, they would promise the moon and try to achieve the mission with an aged rocket, he said, taking a swipe at PAS and DAP.

At another event, Dr Chua said Barisan had always looked after the welfare of all races but Pakatan merely adopted a populist policy.

No government is perfect but Barisan will continue to prioritise the peoples needs and interests.

On the other hand, Pakatans main agenda is to become the ruling party and has no qualms playing politics to achieve its aim, he said.

-The Star-