BALAKONG POLLS | Come Sept 8, MCA's dream is to strike "1+3" said MCA deputy president Wee Ka Siong, but he is not referring to the number betting game.

At a ceramah yesterday, Wee told Balakong folks that his party currently has one MP and two state lawmakers, or "1+2" for short.

"We have one 'star' in Parliament. Another two in state legislatures. Our hope is you will allow us to achieve our dream of '1+3'.

"Last time (we were referred to as) 7-11. Now (the goal is) '1+3'. So, to achieve '1+3', our journey starts from Balakong," he said.

The "7-11" was in reference to the party's haul of seven parliamentary seats and 11 state seats in the 2013 elections while "1+3" is also a common reference to a betting game offered by Damacai.

Wee, who is not one known for making self-deprecating jokes, told his audience that he was not encouraging gambling.

"Don't misunderstand. (Finance Minister) Lim Guan Eng said lottery tickets will be subjected to six percent (SST) soon. You will have to pay.

"So that's why I'm here today. On Sept 8, vote for (MCA candidate) Tan Chee Teong (photo). Let him win. Let him enter the (Selangor) legislature through the front door," he said.

Wee assured voters that Tan would become MCA's "most feared" legislator because he was constructive and meticulous.

He said DAP had over the past few decades shaped their campaign message based on the need for a two-party system and for this to work would require vigilance, along with checks and balance.

"DAP always say: Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. Tonight I want to send that message back to DAP.

"Selangor Pakatan Harapan has 90 percent of the seats. No matter what the result in the two by-elections, it would not change the balance of power.

"The question now is whether the public wants to have opposition voices to act as a counter-balance," he said.

He added that although DAP leaders had made fun of MCA's logo - likening it to a durian - he said that the "durian" had served the Chinese community for decades.

"This 'durian' had once helped your forefathers settle in this country, become citizens and guaranteed your citizenship," he said.