DAP has ramped up efforts to win MCA strongholds, particularly Bentong, Ayer Hitam and Labis, and marginal seat Cameron Highlands in the next elections via the launch of a crowdfunding website today.

National assistant publicity secretary Yeo Bee Yin said the public can donate directly to the election campaigns they feel strongly about.

“We are running six campaigns. First is to kick out (MCA president) Liow Tiong Lai from Bentong, or help us to print more leaflets about 1MDB (state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd) so we can give it to people in rural areas.

“Help us to unseat (MCA vice president) Chua Tee Yong in Labis, unlock (MCA deputy president) Wee Ka Siong’s Ayer Hitam Fortress, topple BN in Cameron Highlands, or to fund our campaign for a theme song,” Yeo told reporters at DAP’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. 

According to the crowdfunding site, DAP is targeting to raise RM100,000 each for Bentong (Pahang), Ayer Hitam (Johor), Labis (Johor) and Cameron Highlands (Pahang).

BN has never lost these four seats. However, except for Ayer Hitam, the ruling coalition held on to the other three seats by a majority of less than 500 votes in 2013.

Unlike BN, federal opposition parties such as DAP are reliant on public donations to fund their election campaigns.

Yeo said the party will launch more campaigns in the lead up to the elections. 

Meanwhile, the Pakatan Harapan component party also launched an online merchandise store, which include their popular hornbill soft toys named Ubah.  

The DAP signature soft toy was a hit in the 2013 elections.

DAP international secretary Teo Nie Ching said the party decided to introduce the online store as its lawmakers get bombarded by requests to buy their party merchandise and newsletter Roket. – February 8, 2018.