MELAKA: Datuk Lim Ban Hong will leave the decision on his senator’s post to the MCA leadership should he win in the state election.

       The Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister said that since the appointment came from his party, he would leave it to the leadership to decide.

       “I cannot make a decision for myself (if I win, because) the position comes from the party.

       “Although I still use this platform to carry out my duties, I will leave it to the party central committee to decide in the future,” he said in an interview here yesterday.

       Lim noted that Malaysian law allows federal officials to stand in elections as state assemblymen. As such, he said he would maintain his position as a federal minister and senator during the state polls campaigning period.

       When asked about the possibility of him keeping his position even if he loses, Lim believed that he would be able to create a stronger “bridge” between the state and its people with the federal government should he win.

       “I can leverage on my post as a deputy minister in the federal government to the advantage of the voters in Klebang and Melaka with more comprehensive development programmes,” he added.

       Lim, who is contesting the Klebang seat, will be contesting against PKR’s Datuk Gue Teck and Perikatan Nasional’s Bakri Jamaluddin from PAS.

       As a one-term assemblyman in the 13th General Election, Lim said he aspires to continue with the many unfinished plans he had for Klebang should he win.

       “Klebang is one of the places with many farms and padi fields in the city, where an organised irrigation system is necessary.

       “It has two fishermen’s jetties in Klebang Besar and Sungai Leleh, and has many beach areas, receiving many visitors and tourists.

       “Then there is also the sea reclamation going on, where efforts to increase greenery in the area is also important.

       “We also need a larger polyclinic to cater to the growing population,” he said, adding that he hopes to bring these aspects to fruition should he be elected.

       On the Duyong seat that has been returned to Umno in the state polls, Lim, who is also Melaka MCA state liaison committee chairman, said that MCA has been contesting between seven and eight seats in the general elections.

       “For example, MCA contested seven seats in 2013 and eight seats in 2018 and seven in this state election,” he said.

       Lim said that the current focus is to win the state election.