Tan will contest against Simon Ooi of Pakatan Harapan (PH), Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamuddin (Perikatan Nasional), Nuhairi Rahmat (Pejuang), Fadzil Hanafi (Warisan), and independent candidates, Nordin Yunus and Sofan Feroza Md Yusup.
He said the opposition fielded outsiders in previous polls, such as Gooi Hsiao Leung from Penang in 2013 and Chan Ming Kai (Perak) in 2018, adding the same is happening now with Ooi hailing from Sungai Petani.
“They don’t know (Alor Setar) because they were not born here,” Tan said at a press conference here.
“I was born here. This is my hometown. This is my kampung.
“But for them (opposition), this place is a ticket for them to go to the Dewan Rakyat and argue.”
The MCA Youth deputy chief also said he is confident that Alor Setar voters will embrace BN again in GE15 as voters are unhappy with the PN-led state government, which he claimed had failed to take care of public housing projects and put an end to water disruptions.
Tan said that voters in Alor Setar, especially padi farmers, are unhappy with the former PH government, which had “slashed incentives and other assistance” meant for them.
“I have met young and old Chinese voters here who previously voted for PH. But they told me they are willing to vote BN again,” he added.
“An independent survey found that support from Chinese voters here grew from 5% last month to 12% this month. But that is not enough, we have to work harder.”
If elected, Tan said he intends to develop Alor Setar into an agrobusiness hub like Penang’s Bukit Mertajam.
He said his vision is workable as Malaysia has a good highway and railway network, pointing out that the latter extends to Thailand.
Tan added that making Alor Setar an agricultural hub will pave the way for packaging and logistics companies to establish themselves in the Kedah state capital.
He said such a move would also create more jobs for the people, especially youths.
Apart from making Alor Setar an agrobusiness hub, Tan also wants to bring in federal funds to repair public housing buildings that are in a dilapidated state.