Hundreds of MCA grassroots members and supporters in Alor Gajah, Malacca, gathered in support of the incumbent MP of the constituency Koh Nai Kwang.

This is in wake of the news report that Koh might be replaced with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's political aide Wong Nai Chee in the coming general election.

Dubbed the “10,000 people rally in support of Koh”, the crowd gathered outside the Machap Baru MCA branch office this evening.

“Any other candidate (apart) from Koh will 'telekup' (be defeated),” shouted one of them.

However, the emcee repeatedly stressed this is a "peaceful assembly" that hopes to reflect the grassroots support for Koh.

Most Umno and MIC grassroots leaders, when giving their speeches at the event, praised Koh for his service and hard work.

They also pointed out that Koh has obtained support from all races and he should be given chance to defend his seat and continue to serve the people here.

"Koh has the support from grassroots. If he is to contest in Alor Gajah again, possibly he will win with a higher majority.

"The leadership should listen to our opinion. Replacement is not a bad thing, but the candidate should come to serve the constituency and receive the support of the voters first," said an MCA Youth division leader.

The rally remained calm and peaceful, as supporters only voiced their support for Koh and did not criticise the MCA leadership or Wong Nai Chee (photo).

The emcee announced that at least 2,000 supporters had gathered for the rally.

A makeshift counter was also set up at the venue to collect signatures in support of Koh.

Machap assemblyperson Lai Meng Chong, who is also from MCA, attended the protest as well. He did not speak on stage, and he also refused to accept any media interview.

There are a total of five state seats under the Alor Gajah parliamentary constituency, of which three are held by Umno and one by the MIC.

Wong, who was appointed as Najib's political secretary in 2011, first shot to prominence in the 2004 general election, unseating then DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock in Kota Melaka.

It was the first time DAP had lost the seat since the creation of the constituency in 1969, which had Lim Kit Siang as its first MP.

However, in the following election in 2008, Wong lost Kota Melaka to DAP.

Wong, who is an appointed MCA central committee member, is expected to stand a good chance if he is fielded in Alor Gajah, which is the safest parliamentary seat in the country for MCA.

It is also in Alor Gajah that the party achieved its largest vote majority, out of the seven parliamentary seats it won in the 2013 general election.

Koh garnered 32,594 votes, beating DAP’s Damian Yeo Shen Li by an 11,597-vote majority.