CHERAS - Gerakan president Datuk Mah Siew Keong admitted today that it would be an uphill battle to wrestle the Permatang Pauh seat if Barisan Nasional (BN) decides to field a candidate in the vacant seat.
"It'll definitely be a tough fight but we'll try to give our best to give a tough fight," he said to reporters at Gerakan headquarters during the Chinese New Year open house.
However, he added the party has started in laying out the ground work to meet the voters there.
"We've started a strong base there as our members have also started preparing (for the upcoming by-election). It's a mix seat with the Malays as the majority but there are also substantial support from the Chinese and Indian voters. We'll go out on all three fronts.
We've also established a party machinery there according to the polling stations," he said.
He added that from the party's initial reports there were local issues raised by the Penangites such as the need to provide good service in addressing their plight.
He stressed there is a need for BN to field in a candidate to explain national issues to the public, adding that the Cabinet has not finalised who would be the candidate from UMNO.
Datuk Mah Siew Keong
Gerakan will intensify their move to meet the locals after the Chinese New Year festivities, he said.
The seat in Permatang Pauh has been vacated following Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's conviction and jailing for sodomy.
Asked on the Chempaka state seat which is vacant after PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat's recent demise, he said in his personal opinion that BN should not stand there "because it is different" but instead should focus in Permatang Pauh.
As for the internal squabble within MIC, the Teluk Intan MP said he hoped that both its president and deputy president will resolve the issues soon. - Sundaily
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