No Jamal, no worries, says Liow Tiong Lai
MCA president points out that firebrand Jamal Yunos has not been shortlisted to run as a candidate in the Sungai Besar by-election.
PETALING JAYA: Liow Tiong Lai said the potential involvement of Jamal Md Yunos in the Sungai Besar by-election would not spark a backlash among the Chinese voters against the Barisan Nasional.
According to Malay Mail Online, the MCA president pointed out that the firebrand politician had not been shortlisted as a candidate for the June 18 polls.
“MCA has already channelled the Chinese community’s feelings,” the portal quoted him as saying, when asked how the Chinese-based party could help the ruling coalition campaign if Jamal contested in the parliamentary seat.
Liow, MMO reported, did not elaborate on the Chinese community’s sentiments.
The transport minister also said that Jamal, who is the Sungai Besar Umno division chief, had himself admitted he was not shortlisted.
Therefore, Liow said, this is “not an issue”.
Jamal had generated controversy after leading a racially-tinged rally last year in the city centre.
He had in the past also made statements against the Chinese community, which were deemed to be derogatory.
Jamal, however, denied he was racist, claiming in March that he had many Chinese friends and had even adopted a Chinese boy to prove his point.
The Sungai Besar seat fell vacant after its incumbent, Noriah Kasnon, died in a helicopter crash in Sarawak on May 5.
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Also killed in the tragedy was Kuala Kangsar MP Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad.