HUNDREDS of MCA grassroots members are protesting the party’s decision to replace incumbent Alor Gajah MP Koh Nai Kwong with Wong Nai Chee, the prime minister’s political secretary.

Tang Hui Li, an Alor Gajah MCA division elder, said the candidate should be determined by the division and not people from outside.

Koh is being moved to the Machap state seat but his division is not happy and has cancelled several functions planned over the weekend.

Wong became known as a giant killer when he beat then DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock for the Kota Melaka seat in the 2004 general election.

However, DAP won back the seat in the next general election.

Wong made a comeback in 2011 as Najib’s political secretary.

The Alor Gajah seat is seen as one of MCA’s safest seats. 

MCA Alor Gajah secretary Chew Chong Lim wants Wong to confirm if his candidature was Najib’s decision.

“Who was the one who decided it, is it the prime minister? Wong Nai Chee please let us know.

“As long as the candidate appointment letter is not issued we will not take any chance. We want Koh Nai Kwong to contest again,” he said.

To show their support for Koh, the division has started a signature campaign and aims to get the backing of 10,000 people.

Until this evening, they have gathered 2,000 signatures.

“Once we get the 10,000 signatures, we will send the list to the prime minister,

“We urge the prime minister to listen to the people to let Koh continue to contest in Alor Gajah,” he said. – March 15, 2018.