SEGAMAT: From the vegetable sellers and fishmongers at the Labis wet market, to the sundry store owners and the regular “uncles” on their motorcycles, folks here fondly holler out to Tan Chong and offer a friendly wave when they see him.

       This familiar face is the Barisan Nasional candidate for Bekok, one of the two state seats for the Labis parliamentary constituency. The other is Tenang.

       The third-time contender said he would like to serve the people in Bekok for as long as he could.

       The Labis MCA division deputy chief said the state election was more than just winning.

       Rather, it is about MCA remaining with the community through thick and thin.

       “I have been around for the people here for over two decades and I’m so used to helping them because they know that I’m just a phone call away.

       “This will not change, whether I win or lose in this state election,” said Tan when met after a morning walkabout greeting the locals in the Labis town here yesterday.

       Attempting the state seat for the third time, Tan said it was the first time that Bekok would see a four-cornered fight, which, he said, would be a challenging fight as the votes would be split.

       “It is still a 50-50 fight for me. No matter what, I will remain practical and focus on my service to the people like I used to.

       “I’m not the type who just gives empty promises on all sorts of goodies. I choose to deliver with action on the ground.

       “I hope the people in Bekok will support me based on my work all these years,” he said, adding that his team was also working on encouraging local youths who were working elsewhere to return to vote.

       Tan said among other things on his plate, he was working on sorting out problems involving an intersection connecting a bridge in Bekok, which has become an accident-prone area.

       “I am working on getting the relevant parties to straighten the intersection so that the traffic flow becomes smoother and less dangerous to motorists,” he said.

       Should he win, he said a mobile service centre was also in the works, making it easier for the people, especially those living in rural areas, to voice their concerns.

       The 57-year-old, however, also noted that this would be his last attempt at the state seat, as one should not overstay his welcome in politics.

       “The time will come when the younger generation have to have that chance to come up,” he said, adding that his involvement in his existing charity work and non-governmental organisations, however, would not stop even after he quits politics.

       “I will still be active in the Labis Che Thai Khor moral uplifting society and also the Labis branch of the Muhibbah Segamat dialysis centre, where I’m the president for both,” he added.

       Tan is in a four-cornered fight in Bekok, standing against Pakatan Harapan’s M. Kanan, Perikatan Nasional’s Tan Lek Khang and Parti Warisan’s A. Sandara Segaran.

       Tan lost the seat to DAP in both his attempts in the 13th and 14th general elections.