KUALA LUMPUR: The ten years in which DAP has held Kuala Lumpur has brought no gain for the Chinese.
The community is extremely aware of that now, said MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
"Let's not be sidelined as Chinese. If we vote for DAP, our power is outside the government or the corridors of power.
"I have called upon the Chinese here to give MCA support as we in the government can use its resources to realise the agenda of KL's transformation into Greater Kuala Lumpur and together build the nation with other races," said Liow.
He said this in a Chinese New Year celebration with the people of Bandar Tun Razak which was organised by MCA and the BN parliamentary coordinating office.
Liow said that BN would ensure that the city would continue to develop rapidly. He also reminded them that under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's leadership, there has been development of mega projects for the benefit of the people like the extension of KTM and the implementation of the MRT project.
He said that the return of Chinese votes was evident as the event saw a large turnout of residents from Bandar Tun Razak.
Liow said despite MCA losing all its urban seats in the city in the last two elections, the sentiment was not the same from Chinese voters.
"I've been going to the ground and meeting people and they come to me and shake my hand and declare that this time around they will fully support MCA.
"I know they are serious and committed. Their wishes and the mood is also right. This time the votes would come back to MCA," he added.
On the possibility of seat swaps, Liow said the matter had yet to be discussed within Barisan Nasional. He said talks had however been initiated with Gerakan on a number of seats but refused to comment further. Liow reiterated that MCA has shortlisted the candidates for the five seats it hopes to contest that are Seputeh, Wangsa Maju, Cheras, Bandar Tun Razak and Bukit Bintang.