In the 2013 general election, MCA president Liow Tiong Lai was dealt a shocking setback in the party's traditional parliamentary stronghold of Bentong in Pahang.

The transport minister managed to retain the seat with a razor-thin majority of 379 votes against first-time contestant Wong Tack, an environmental activist who stood under the DAP ticket.

The seat with a 62,266-strong electorate comprises almost equal numbers of Malay and Chinese voters.

As the 14th general election draws closer, there has been speculation if Liow would opt for a safe seat, instead of defending Bentong...