AYER HITAM – Barisan Nasional (BN) does not feel threatened by DAP’s move to field a Malay candidate in the Ayer Hitam parliamentary constituency for the coming general election, said the seat’s incumbent Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong.
The MCA president said he welcomed DAP’s Paloh assemblyman Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali challenge for Ayer Hitam, as well as moves from other parties to field Malay candidates in the seat.
Wee said BN was confident because it would only field capable candidates with integrity and experience.
“We do not change candidates frequently. I believe voters in Ayer Hitam know which party has been helping them when they are in difficulty. It’s not a matter of (whether it is a) Malay candidate or otherwise.
“Anyone is welcome to contest in Ayer Hitam. We don’t believe in having parachute candidates,” he told reporters after attending the Batu Pahat district National Sports Day and a ceremony to hand over the Keluarga Malaysia Driving Licence Assistance near here today.
Without confirming if he would be defending the seat, Wee said he had faced Malay candidates before.
The four-term Ayer Hitam MP defeated DAP’s Liew Chin Tong by just 303 votes in the previous national polls.
Two days ago, Pakatan Harapan announced Sheikh Umar, 37, a DAP central committee member and Johor DAP vice-chairman, as its candidate for Ayer Hitam. – Bernama, October 29, 2022
