sentences:  In the 2004 election, the late Datuk Wira Poh Ah Tiam of the Barisan Nasional (BN) defeated him by a majority of 4,562 votes.Despite the loss, on 30 March 2007, the DAP announced Liou will again contest for the party in the 2007 Machap by-election due to his "knowledge of the local terrain", grassroots support, and his willingness "to serve Machap constituents".Liou was eventually defeated, but by a marginally smaller majority.