Our family comes first, says MCA chief on BN going solo

Our family comes first, says MCA chief on BN going solo

Published: Aug 23, 2024 5:58 PM


MCA president Wee Ka Siong emphasised that BN should focus on strengthening its component parties, which have been struggling to remain relevant for close to two decades.

“I have repeatedly said this. BN must strengthen its own component parties… Strengthening BN should be our topmost priority.

“We should take care of our family first. It should be ‘BN first’ because we are contesting under BN’s ticket. We have never contested (under a different banner),” he said when quizzed on the prospect of BN going solo in the next general election.

Since the 2008 general election, BN had witnessed an erosion of support which culminated in its defeat in the 14th general election.

In the 15th general election, the coalition suffered its worst-ever electoral outing but returned to power after forming an alliance with Pakatan Harapan, which led to MCA having to be on the same team with its arch-rival, DAP.

Meanwhile, Wee (above) was also glad over the decision for BN to use its “dacing” or the scales logo in the next general election.

“This is something we (component parties) desired. BN had governed (the nation) for a long time. We went through a difficult period and winding roads in 2018.

“We are hoping for a new lease of life, to be accepted again by the people,” the Ayer Hitam MP said, adding that BN’s experience would help in overcoming the obstacles ahead.

Previously, Umno president and BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said their candidates will contest under the coalition banner in the 16th general election, which is scheduled to take place in 2026.

However, he said Umno would continue its cooperation with all the parties that form the coalition government under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.


Don’t question MCA’s loyalty

On that note, Wee also stressed that MCA’s loyalty to BN should never be questioned and pointed out that the party was among the first to join the coalition.

“This loyalty problem has never arisen because we were (among the parties that) formed BN. This is the spirit of BN until now,” he said.

Wee, who was speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the Umno annual general assembly in Kuala Lumpur, was addressing previous reports claiming MCA might exit BN due to dissatisfaction.

Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh


Yesterday, Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh also did not rule out the possibility of the party contesting solo in the 16th general election.

The firebrand politician also cautioned against complacency with regard to being part of the coalition government and urged efforts to continue to make Umno the dominant party again.