MCA president Liow Tiong Lai today denied the party's reluctance to stand in the Bukit Gelugor parliamentary by-election was out of fear, but rather it is a matter of "strategy".

"We are not worried about contesting, but we just need to have a strategy," he said.

Liow also said the party need to listen to the views of the grassroots before arriving at a decision.

He said the matter needs to be further discussed within BN, especially on whether MCA will be fielding its candidate.

On Wednesday April 30, MCA deputy president Wee Ka Siong said the party was still 50-50 about contesting the seat that was vacated after the incumbent, Karpal Singh, met with a fatal road accident last month.

Bukit Gelugor is said to be a DAP stronghold. It was won by Karpal by a mammoth majority of 41,778 votes.

The by-election in Bukit Gelugor was called following Karpal's death on April 17.

Nomination is set for May 12 and polling is fixed for May 25.

 
MCA Perak chief Dr Mah Hang Soon has yesterday suggested to swap the seat with BN ally, Gerakan.

Gerakan is expected to contest the Teluk Intan by-election, which is to be called following the death of DAP's Seah Leong Peng after succumbing to cancer.