DAP national organising secretary Anthony Loke has asked whether MCA received China president Xi Jinping’s consent to use his photo for election campaigning.

“Xi is a respected national leader trying to curb corruption in China. He is well-known for his One Belt, One Road initiative.

“MCA is so desperate they have to use Xi (to gain political mileage),” Loke said in a ceramah in Kampung Baru Slim River, Perak, last night.

Loke was referring to banners showing MCA president Liow Tiong Lai shaking hands with Xi which have sprung up in Bentong and Ayer Hitam, ostensibly to promote MCA’s good ties with China.

Liow is contesting in Bentong, while his party deputy Wee Ka Siong is defending the Ayer Hitam parliamentary seat.

Brickbats against MCA, particularly for failing to stand up to Umno to defend Chinese community interests, drew laughter and applause from the 150 people, mostly middle-aged and elderly Chinese, at the ceramah.

“We’ll treat you better than BN has in the past 60 years. If we are not good, vote us out after five years.

“If we can win a Malay-majority seat like Tanjung Malim, we can win Perak and Putrajaya. Can you help make sure we win?” Loke asked to a resounding yes from the audience.

Perak PKR information chief and two-term state assemblyman Chang Lih Kang is going up against MCA Perak chief and caretaker state executive councillor Dr Mah Hang Soon in Tanjung Malim.

Chang said Dr Mah rejected his invite for a debate immediately after nomination.

“I’ve sat opposite him in the state assembly for 10 years. At least this time, only one of us will win and go to Parliament,” he quipped.

Chang criticised Dr Mah for failing to provide adequate land to settlers and farmers in Perak, while plenty was given to developers and state-owned companies.

“He didn’t answer me when I asked him why,” Chang said.

Most of the residents in Slim River work in farms, orchards, and small businesses.

Tanjung Malim has 68,634 voters, 55.5% of whom are Malays, 25.6% Chinese, 13% Indians and 5.9% Orang Asli.

BN won the seat by 4,328 votes in 2013. – May 3, 2018.