MCA leaders launch early assault on Galas constituency

---->Going to the ground: Dr Chua addressing members of the Chinese community at the Gua Musang industrial area Wednesday. – Bernama

GUA MUSANG: MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong have begun an early assault on Galas.

They were going to the ground meeting the Chinese community, Chinese non-governmental organisations and MCA members here yesterday.

Dr Chua later told reporters at a press conference that it was too early to gauge the Chinese community’s support for the Barisan Nasional.

He said there were local issues that needed to be tackled like infrastructure, adding that he was optimistic of a victory for Barisan.

His presence there, he said, was to ensure that the MCA election machinery was well oiled and was prepared to move in tandem with other component parties.

“The reaction of the Chinese community on the whole is very positive and we will be able to create a feel-good factor to further woo the Chinese voters here,” he said.

Of the 10,330 voters in Galas, Chinese comprise 22.3% while 65.4% are Malays, 10.5% orang asli and 1.8% Indians.

Likewise, Kelantan Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Mustapa Mohamad is a busy man nowadays and has started the ground work by meeting grassroots members and Malay community leaders here in an impromptu manner in the run-up to the Galas by-election.

And like a workman waiting for the chief engineer to arrive, Mustapa is building the foundation to make it easier for Barisan election director Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah to start the cogs moving.

“This by-election is unique for Barisan because Tengku Razaleigh, who is also the Gua Musang division chief, is the election director and we will have to wait for his instructions and then we will go into full swing,” said an aide close to Tengku Raza leigh.

The aide added that Tengku Razaleigh, who is affectionately known as Ku Li, is expected to arrive here today.

The by-election on Nov 4 is due to the death of PAS assemblyman Che Hashim Sulaima, 46, on Sept 27. Nomination is on Oct 26.

THE STAR (Thursday October 14, 2010)