BALAKONG POLLS | MCA will fail to be a credible opposition unless it condemns former premier Najib Abdul Razak’s role in the 1MDB affair, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang said today.

MCA, which is up against DAP in the Balakong by-election, has been campaigning on a basis of wanting to provide a check and balance for the Pakatan Harapan-dominated Selangor legislative assembly.

Responding to this, Lim said MCA did not qualify for the task.

“A check and balance is needed, but MCA can’t do it because they need to reform and start over. Five years ago (in the 13th general election), they supported Najib and they need to apologise for that.

“(They need to admit they were) wrong to aid and abet the monstrous crime and corruption of the 1MDB scandal.

“Unless they are prepared to take a stand and condemn Najib and 1MDB (they can’t reform),” he said to the press after stumping for DAP’s Balakong candidate Wong Siew Ki at the Kampung Baru morning market in Cheras.

Read more: No such thing as a sure win, come out to vote - DAP candidate

“Unless they (MCA) reform, they have no credibility whatsoever and they will not get the support of the people,” Lim added.

MCA president Liow Tiong Lai had previously urged voters to choose his party to hold Harapan accountable.

“Every vote for MCA means we can check and balance the state government (better),” Liow had said.

Harapan parties dominate the Selangor assembly, with 51 of the total 56 seats. Umno holds four seats while PAS has one.

The Sept 8 by-election was called following the death of the incumbent Eddie Ng in a car accident. DAP’s Wong is running against MCA’s Tan Chee Teong in the by-election.

In the 14th general election, PAS received more votes in the Chinese-majority constituency than MCA, garnering 6,230 votes to MCA's 5,874.

DAP had won the seat with a 35,538 margin.