AYER HITAM: Preparation will be key for Barisan Nasional to ensure total victory in the 15th general election (GE15), which might be called sooner rather than later, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

       “I urge all members to get ready in facing GE15 as we have entered the fifth year and it is unlikely that it will be far off from the expired date.

       “Even though we have yet to know the exact date, preparation would be key,” the MCA president added.

       Dr Wee, who is also Ayer Hitam MP and Transport Minister, said this after officiating the Ayer Hitam MCA division meeting held at Yong Peng here on Thursday (June 2) night.

       He added that Barisan’s landslide victory during the Johor election was due to the efforts played by the coalition’s component parties that worked tirelessly to make sure its candidates won 40 out of 56 state seats.

       Dr Wee said the sweetest victory recorded by Barisan in the Johor election would be the Yong Peng seat, which was won by Ling Tian Soon.

       “Many expected that we would not win the seat as Ling lost with more than a 5,000 majority in the last election.

       “But we never gave up and doubled our efforts to be close to the people resulting in support from them to win back Yong Peng but also other seats such as Bekok, Paloh and Pekan Nanas, which is a clear message that we need to work hard to win any elections,” he added.

       Dr Wee expressed hope that such cooperation among Barisan component parties and its partners can continue in GE15.

       He also welcomed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s commitment that Barisan component parties would be included in the discussion on when the election will be called.

       “That is why I made an appeal that the discussion should not only involve Umno’s top five leaders but also should get Barisan component parties as well, which will ensure each party is well prepared for GE15,” he added.

       During the Barisan convention held on Wednesday (June 1), Ismail Sabri reiterated his commitment that Barisan component parties would be included in the discussion.

       The Prime Minister also reiterated his commitment to discussing the matter with Umno’s top five leaders and the supreme council.

       “When the time is right, I will not delay the dissolution of Parliament, even for a second,” he said.