Puad: MCA should quit sulking, remain loyal BN ally

Puad: MCA should quit sulking, remain loyal BN ally


Published: Apr 30, 2025 12:20 PM
Updated: 2:20 PM



Summary

• Puad Zarkashi urges MCA to stay committed to BN, saying their frustration is understandable but misplaced.

• MCA should focus on regaining public support through performance in states where it holds power rather than blaming BN or sulking over setbacks, the Umno leader adds.

• He defends the BN-Harapan cooperation, stating it was not the cause of MCA or Umno’s electoral struggles.

Umno supreme council member Puad Zarkashi has urged MCA to remain a loyal partner within BN, saying that frustrations voiced by its leadership should not lead to misplaced blame or withdrawal from the coalition.

This came after MCA secretary general Chong Sin Woon expressed party members’ uncertainty and disappointment with BN’s direction.

Responding to this, Puad said the concerns are understandable but misdirected.

“We sympathise with MCA, but they should not blame BN.

“MCA must ask itself why Chinese support for the party has declined. Why did they only win two seats in the 15th general election?” the veteran politician said in a statement.

Puad stressed that MCA’s poor electoral performance had no connection to BN’s cooperation with Pakatan Harapan, as BN had contested GE15 independently.

He also criticised Johor MCA Youth chief Heng Zhi Li’s claim that the BN-Harapan partnership had jeopardised Umno’s future, calling the comment “shallow”.

“Umno was severely affected when BN lost GE14, not because of BN-Harapan cooperation. But Umno did not blame BN – instead, we rose again.

“If you want to say Umno is declining, just look at the three by-elections in Nenggiri, Mahkota, and Ayer Kuning,” he said.

Focus on gaining support

Puad reminded MCA not to "sulk", pointing to their absence in the 2023 state elections in Kedah, Kelantan, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, and Penang as counterproductive.

Instead, he urged the party to focus on its roles and positions in Johor, Malacca, Perak, and Pahang, saying that success in governance would help win back public support.

“Umno will continue to defend BN. MCA, MIC, and the friends of BN are still our loyal allies. The BN-Harapan cooperation is for the people’s well-being and to ensure a stable government,” he added.

BN, he said, must continue to heed the advice of the Malay rulers and remain committed to moderation - “that is our clear direction.”