MCA ‘biggest loser’ in BN-PN Negeri Sembilan pact, says Loke
The DAP secretary-general says MCA gave up three traditional seats under the arrangement to avoid multi-cornered fights, but the strategy was disrupted by Bersatu
DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook speaks to reporters after a walkabout with DAP candidates at Pasar Besar Seremban.
SEREMBAN: DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook has described MCA as the “biggest loser” in the electoral pact between Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional for the Negeri Sembilan state election, after the BN component party decided not to contest three seats traditionally associated with it.
Loke said MCA had effectively surrendered Lobak, Mambau and Lukut to PN in exchange for straight fights in other seats, and that strategy almost succeeded if it weren’t for Bersatu candidates.
He said the three constituencies remained significant to both MCA and DAP, pointing out that Lobak had the highest percentage of Chinese voters among the state’s seats, while Lukut and Mambau had previously been held by senior MCA figures.
“I want to thank Wee Ka Siong for being so generous. For me, I admit that if we were in the same position, our party might not be as generous,” he said in jest to reporters after a walkabout with DAP candidates at Pasar Besar Seremban.
“Even if we lost our traditional seats, we would still contest them. So this arrangement appears to be very generous. It is up to MCA members to judge.”
Under the arrangement, BN is contesting 25 seats while PN is contesting 11 seats, with no overlap.
Lobak, Mambau and Lukut, which are currently DAP strongholds, are among the seats ceded to PN to contest.
MCA is contesting seven seats, mostly in straight fights, except in Nilai, Temiang and Rahang, where Bersatu candidates are also contesting.
Wee had said the party’s decision not to contest Lobak, Mambau and Lukut was based on electoral calculations, noting MCA had failed to win the seats in the past three elections.
He said MCA had instead chosen to focus its resources on seats where it had a stronger chance of victory, while acknowledging that the move could be perceived as helping DAP.
Loke admitted that the BN-PN pact would be the biggest challenge for Pakatan Harapan, as it was designed to defeat PH by avoiding vote-splitting among Malay voters and allowing vote transfers between BN and PN.
“Nevertheless, we will continue to put up a strong fight in every seat, and PH still has a chance of winning a majority of seats in Negeri Sembilan. We will continue campaigning as one team.
Loke said MCA had effectively surrendered Lobak, Mambau and Lukut to PN in exchange for straight fights in other seats, and that strategy almost succeeded if it weren’t for Bersatu candidates.
He said the three constituencies remained significant to both MCA and DAP, pointing out that Lobak had the highest percentage of Chinese voters among the state’s seats, while Lukut and Mambau had previously been held by senior MCA figures.
“I want to thank Wee Ka Siong for being so generous. For me, I admit that if we were in the same position, our party might not be as generous,” he said in jest to reporters after a walkabout with DAP candidates at Pasar Besar Seremban.
“Even if we lost our traditional seats, we would still contest them. So this arrangement appears to be very generous. It is up to MCA members to judge.”
Under the arrangement, BN is contesting 25 seats while PN is contesting 11 seats, with no overlap.
Lobak, Mambau and Lukut, which are currently DAP strongholds, are among the seats ceded to PN to contest.
MCA is contesting seven seats, mostly in straight fights, except in Nilai, Temiang and Rahang, where Bersatu candidates are also contesting.
Wee had said the party’s decision not to contest Lobak, Mambau and Lukut was based on electoral calculations, noting MCA had failed to win the seats in the past three elections.
He said MCA had instead chosen to focus its resources on seats where it had a stronger chance of victory, while acknowledging that the move could be perceived as helping DAP.
Loke admitted that the BN-PN pact would be the biggest challenge for Pakatan Harapan, as it was designed to defeat PH by avoiding vote-splitting among Malay voters and allowing vote transfers between BN and PN.
“Nevertheless, we will continue to put up a strong fight in every seat, and PH still has a chance of winning a majority of seats in Negeri Sembilan. We will continue campaigning as one team.
A Lot of Chinese now returning to voting for MCA candidates.
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