MCA secretary-general and Perak MCA chief Ong Ka Chuan, who was defeated by DAP's Fong Po Kuan in Batu Gajah in 2004, said the pledges could not be fulfilled because he did not win.

"We lost out. How could we do (anything)? Three parliament seats (Ipoh Timor, Ipoh Barat and Batu Gajah) were lost to them," said Ong during a press conference in Ipoh yesterday.

mca press conference 151105 ong ka chuan "The principle is that - you won the seat, (therefore) it is your responsibility to carry out your vision, not the person who lost. We don't have the ability," he stressed.

Ong was responding to Ipoh Barat parliamentary seat incumbent M Kulasegaran's debate challenge on MCA Perak's 'Kinta Valley nine-point development plan".

"Kulasegaran must get this straight. You won the seat - now you challenge me about things you didn't implement since 2004," he added.

Development carrot

In his recent ceramah, Kulasegaran pointed out that in 2004, Ong had promised to bring economic development to the Batu Gajah area which did not materialise.

Kulasegaran also chided Ong but is dangling the economic development carrot for Kinta Valley folks despite contesting for a seat outside the area.

Ong, who is contesting the Barisan Nasional 'safe seat' of Tanjung Malim, explained that due to his defeat, he was unable to face the prime minister and ask for development projects.

Comparing Perak with Terengganu, Ong said that when BN wrested Terengganu from the opposition, the state was allocated RM1.2 billion in development funds while Perak was only allocated RM400 million in funds.

"I respect the people's decision because they think that the DAP can do better than the BN. We accept that. So now, what has happened in four years?

"Now its my turn. Can you all listen to my suggestions? Can you give me the mandate and support and give me a chance to lead?" urged Ong.

'Social harmony'

Asked on why he often speaks of developing the Kinta Valley but opted to contest outside the area, Ong did not give a direct answer.

"This is a strategy. There is social harmony in the (MCA Tanjung Malim) division. They invited me go (there and contest)," said Ong, who did not explain what he meant by social harmony despite being quizzed several times.

Ong said that as long as he was in Perak, he would be able to supervise development projects.

MCA would be facing DAP heavyweights Lim Kit Siang, Kulasegaran and Fong Po Kuan in the Ipoh Timor, Ipoh Barat and Batu Gajah state seats respectively.

Within the three parliamentary constituencies, MCA would be facing DAP in eight state seats, of which three are held by DAP.

MCA Perak is banking on the economic development card this time round and has launched their Kinta Valley nine-point development plan which emcompasses building better roads and implementing the double railway tracking project, improving Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman in Kampar and upgrading the Ipoh airport into an international airport.