MCA should be given a chance to contest the Kajang by-election as the party is trying to make a comeback after setbacks in the last two general elections, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohammad said today.

"The people must understand. MCA is trying to make a comeback, so give it a chance," he said when asked if MCA should be allowed to contest the by-election.

Mahathir said that it would be fair for MCA to contest the seat if there are a significant number of Chinese voters in the constituency. Currently Chinese make up 41 percent of the voters in the state seat.

He was speaking to reporters after attending the MCA Chinese New Year open house in Kuala Lumpur today.

The BN must contest

Mahathir said the BN must still contest the seat, even if it thinks that the by-election would be a waste of time and money.

"BN should contest. We always contest all by-elections," he said.

He said that the coalition should not give a walkover to any opposition candidate and that the BN has never done so in the past.

"In out history, we have never given walkover to anyone. We always contest," Mahathir said.

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is to contest the by-election following to resignation of the PKR assemblyperson, Lee Chin Cheh (right), last week.

The move is seen as a strategic move by PKR to instal Anwar in the Selangor state legislature and possibly replace Abdul Khalid Ibrahim as menteri besar.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said no decision will be made on the BN candidate for the seat until after the Chinese New Year celebrations.