Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai has urged voters not to read Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob's "ear - cutting" remark out of context.

Speaking to reporters in Kuala Lumpur today, Liow said Adnan has paid a lot of attention to Bentong folk and thus he believes that locals will decide accordingly during the general election.

"I hope people read what he said in detail and not take it out of context... He knows Bentong very well, thus he made that comment," said Liow.

Yesterday, Adnan said he would cut off his ear and jump into the Pahang river if BN loses Bentong in the next general election.

Liow is the Bentong MP and MCA deputy president, while Adnan is the Pelangai state assemblyperson. Pelangai is one of four state constituencies within Bentong.

Gauge service recrod

Both Liow and Adnan have been facing public pressure over their insistence that the Lynas rare earth refinery in Gebeng, some 200km East, was safe.

Asked if he was confident of retaining his seat, Liow did not provide a direct answer, other than saying that he was confident that voters will make the right choice.

"We are confident with the voters. We know the people will acknowledge the service we have provided, especially in helping Bentong's development.

"I believe, under such circumstances, the people will be able to make the right choice," he said.

During the last general election, Liow beat PKR's G Ponusamy with an overwhelming majority of 12,000 votes.