Vice President of Gerakan, Dato’ Mah Siew Keong today criticized the statement made by the Chief Minister of Malacca, Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam who said “chances for BN to win the Bachang constituency is much higher if either UMNO or MCA contests at that area” as a statement that contradicts with the spirit of Barisan Nasional.

Mah said, “Being the Chief Minister and Chairman of Barisan Nasional Malacca, he should contest his point of view at Barisan Nasional meetings and not through media. He has failed to abide with the spirit of Barisan Nasional totally and failed to differentiate the foe and ally of Barisan Nasional.”

Mah said that Gerakan has excellent record of service at the Bachang constituency and the election results at Bachang were also very outstanding when Gerakan’s candidate contested there in the 1995 and 2004 General Elections. Mah felt peculiar why Mohd Ali Rustam would overlook all these facts and make such statement.

Mah also said, “Gerakan’s defeat in the 2008 General election were caused by various factors, however it has nothing to do with the quality of the candidate or Gerakan being weak. Although we have lost in that general election, we had never forgo our responsibilities and provide our service to the people in Bachang. I believe, as a Chief Minister, Mohd Ali Rustam should understand all these. He should not undermine Gerakan’s merit and keep making statements that cause dissatisfaction among the component parties against him.”

Dato’ Mah Siew Keong urges all Gerakan leaders and members in Malacca to strive harder in order to defend the seat in Bachang in the coming General Election.