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Last Updated: 7:44am, Dec 18, 2013

Face to Face with Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai - No more Mr Nice guy?


Face to Face with Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai - No more Mr Nice guy?

"WEAK"; "pushover"; "Umno apologist". All these words have been used to describe Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

But the MCA deputy president who is aiming for the party's top job has had enough and wants to put his image as a "nice guy" into perspective.

"I'm a nice guy but not a push over.

"I'm firm and decisive. I can be very supportive of the party leadership but don't take that support as a sign of weakness," he told fz.com during a Face to Face interview.

In an apparent dig at current president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek who had said in no uncertain terms that he is a weak leader, Liow reminded Chua that one must appreciate the support he gave as deputy president.

"These comments are political motivated," Liow stressed, adding that given the chance to lead, his style will be different.

"Give me a chance to lead. I'm only No 2 now ... Give me a chance to be No.1 and I'll show the way and direction and be firm with my decisions ... and we'll bring back a strong MCA," said Liow who is facing vice president Gan Peng Sieu and former president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat in the Dec 21 polls.

But why does he want to be captain of a sinking ship?

"I have full confidence this is not a sinking ship but a big ship that needs to be steered to greater heights.

"MCA is a strong party just for the time being we have a setback and it's time to rebuild the party," said Liow, 52.

As the president who will take the party into the 14th general election, Liow pledged to return the 30% fixed support that the MCA use to enjoy.

"We lost the 30% basic support even from among members.

"I will make MCA members proud. You trust me ... We'll win back the support."


For more stories, go to www.fz.com, the website for freedom of expression and fairness in articulation.


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