The Cheras MCA advisory team has reportedly urged the party’s central leadership to reconsider its decision to field Cheras MCA Wanita chief Heng Sinn Yee in the coming general election.

They expressed concern over Heng’s health, saying that election campaigning may be too strenuous and risky for Heng – who is in late stages of her pregnancy – as well as for the unborn child.

However, Heng is reportedly unfazed by this call, and said she would continue to do her best to serve the people.

“Many things can happen in an election and no one can predict what will it be.

“Although the Cheras parliamentary constituency is considered a ‘black area’ for BN, I will do my best to serve voters and hope to dispel this label as a ‘black area’.

“I believe the people will see their candidate as someone who can get things done,” she was quoted as saying in Sinchew Daily’s Metro edition.

MCA president Liow Tiong Lai had reportedly touted Heng to reporters as the party’s candidate for Cheras in June last year, although a formal announcement on Heng’s candidacy has yet to be made.

'Be fit enough'

The Cheras MCA advisory team reportedly now wants Liow to reconsider.

“We believe that the next election will be the most hotly-contested ever, so the party’s candidate must not only be hardworking and perform well but also be fit enough to handle preparations for the election,” they reportedly told reporters after a luncheon with Cheras MCA chief Sim Eng Peng.

They said they hope Sim will relay their concerns to Liow and that the latter would pick a more suitable candidate to ensure BN performs well in Cheras.

“Heng is heavily pregnant and is expected to deliver in April or May but in preparation for the election, she will have to go to various places and deal with the people’s problems.

“This includes checking on drains and climbing up and down. These are very inconvenient and quite risky (for her),” they were quoted as saying.

Cheras is considered a DAP stronghold. It is currently held by DAP chairperson Tan Kok Wai who has won and held the seat for five consecutive terms since 1995.

In the last election in 2013, he defeated MCA’s Teoh Chee Hooi by a majority of 37,409 votes.