Support for MCA amidst concerns over Umno grassroots sentiments - Zahid
Amidst concerns over Tanjung Piai Umno grassroots sentiments against the BN candidate Wee Jeck Seng, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said those sentiments have subsided and BN is united behind their candidate.
"There was really strong sentiment for an Umno candidate to represent BN but they have faced the reality that the spirit of cooperation among BN component parties should be prioritised.
Amidst concerns over Tanjung Piai Umno grassroots sentiments against the BN candidate Wee Jeck Seng, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said those sentiments have subsided and BN is united behind their candidate.
"There was really strong sentiment for an Umno candidate to represent BN but they have faced the reality that the spirit of cooperation among BN component parties should be prioritised.
"It is upon that spirit of unity that all BN machinery will move towards the same direction that is to give full support to Wee.
"Even though the sentiment was very strong in the beginning, it has subsided enough and they will work for the victory of MCA which is representing BN and the issue of race and ethnicity does not arise in this matter," Ahmad Zahid said to reporters in Parliament today.
Wee (below) is a two-time Tanjung Piai MP. He failed to retain his seat in last year’s 14th general election, losing by just 524 votes to Pakatan Harapan's Dr Mohd Farid Mohd Rafik.
Both Umno and MCA have been intensely lobbying for a shot at the Malay-majority but also highly mixed seat. It has been traditionally contested by MCA.
The local Umno division had initially nominated its chief Jefridin Atan as their candidate.
However, BN announced last night that Wee will contest in the by-election, against Pakatan Harapan's Karmaine Sardini.
The by-election was triggered by Farid’s death from a heart attack on Sept 21.
The nomination day is Nov 2 while the polling day is on Nov 16.
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