Our tactics worked, says Chua

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional won both Galas and Batu Sapi by-elections because the 1Malaysia concept has been better explained to the rakyat, said MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

He also attributed the coalition’s victory to the introduction of the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) which had received stronger support especially from the Chinese community.

“The ETP would have an expanding economic cake because it is private sector-driven. It will benefit all races because of the good economic growth of 6%,” Dr Chua said after chairing the MCA central committee and presidential council meetings at the Wisma MCA here yesterday.

He said the people also responded more positively to Barisan because of the unity in the party.

“If we do not achieve unity, it is difficult to get support outside the party.

“We have also changed our campaign strategy. Notice that there was no big ceramah or dinner? The campaigning was very low-key and emphasis was on human contact,” he said.

He added that no granting of allocations were announced as such moves were often twisted by the Opposition as an act by Barisan to get votes.

“I must say that the move (not to announce allocations) has gone down well. Whatever that has been promised, we will fulfil,” he said.

Dr Chua said there was an increase in the number of people who voted for Barisan including from the Chinese community.

“It has been agreed that MCA will continue to work hard at increasing the support for the Barisan coalition, including Chinese voters,” he added.

On Nov 4, Barisan candidate Datin Linda Tsen Thau Lin of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) won the Batu Sapi parliamentary seat with a 6,359-vote majority.

She polled 9,773 votes, defeating PKR’s Ansari Abdullah who polled 3,414 votes and SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee who had 2,031 votes.

Barisan wrested Galas from PAS with a 1,190-vote majority with Abdul Aziz Yusoff garnering 5,324 votes against Dr Zulkefli Mohamed from PAS who obtained 4,134 votes.

THE STAR (Tuesday November 9, 2010)