This was the frank admission of Rasah Barisan Nasional chief Hasim Rusdi, who confirmed that MCA would again be contesting for the Chinese-majority seat, which it held before the 2008 election.

He told FMT he was trying to stir both MCA and Gerakan into more vigorous action.

They were using “old methods” to woo voters, he complained, but did not go into detail. “I want them to work harder, like Umno, to achieve an extraordinary victory.”

He said MCA appeared dejected by its crushing defeats in the last two general elections.

MCA’s Goh Siew Huat last won Rasah in 2004 by securing 25,009 votes against DAP candidate Chan Su Sann’s 20,446.

But in 2008, the voters rejected MCA’s Yeow Chai Thiam in favour of DAP’s Loke Siew Fook, who garnered 34,271 votes for a majority of 13,151 votes.

The majority swelled to 23,485 votes in 2013, when Teo Kok Seong retained the seat for DAP by beating MCA’s Teo Eng Kian.

Rasah is a township located 3km from the centre of Seremban. It began as a mining community and gradually became an important trading post for tin.

There are five state seats within the Rasah parliamentary constituency – Labu, Bukit Kepayang, Rahang, Mambau and Senawang.

Labu is held by Hasim, who is also Rasah Umno chairman. The other four seats were all won by DAP candidates in the last general election.

“MCA’s image took a beating after BN’s last two defeats,” Hasim said. “However, it’s not ridiculous to say we can regain Rasah. But MCA and Gerakan will have to rebuild voters’ trust in them.”

He said BN was trying to woo voters through face-to-face meetings and telephone calls.

Rasah MP Teo confirmed that DAP would represent Pakatan Harapan in GE14.

He told FMT that DAP would also be defending the four state seats it holds in Rasah and would help in the Pakatan campaign for Labu.

“We want to contribute as many state seats as we can to help PH form the next state government,” he said.

Asked whether he would re-contest in Rasah, Teo said the decision was up to DAP.