MCA will leave BN, sources claim
Published: Jul 19, 2024 12:38 PM
Several quarters have alluded that the time will come for one of BN’s component parties to leave the coalition despite the long history between them.
According to grassroots sources, MCA is no longer happy with its position in BN after joining the coalition 72 years ago.
The move to leave was said to be necessary before it is too late.
“The grassroots are putting pressure from within for the MCA leadership to make a decision to leave BN.
“They consider BN, which is now led by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, is no longer relevant to MCA because it has been sidelined in the government.
“However, the MCA leadership has yet to make any decision,” the source told Malaysiakini.
BN chairperson and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Malaysiakini has contacted MCA president Wee Ka Siong since last week to get his comments, but no response has been received.
The source added that the pressure on the MCA leadership to make a drastic decision intensified after Zahid said BN will continue to work with Pakatan Harapan to face the 16th general election (GE16).
The MCA source said Zahid’s remarks did not bode well with leaders and members of the party.
He said there was incompatibility on many issues but seat distribution was the main reason why MCA grassroots members disagreed with the continued BN-Harapan cooperation.
“For Umno, they won 26 parliamentary seats in GE15 and were still able to get a large share of the 73 parliamentary seats won by Perikatan Nasional.
“But we (MCA) only won two parliamentary seats (in 2022) and may have to clash with PKR and DAP to get other seats from the two parties to contest in the future,” he said.
Support until end of term
In GE15, which took place in November 2022, MCA continued to record abysmal results when the party only won two parliamentary seats - Ayer Hitam and Tanjung Piai.
Wee Ka Siong is the Ayer Hitam MP while Wee Jeck Seng is the Tanjung Piai state assemblyperson.
During last year’s state election, MCA decided not to contest after failing to resolve seat distribution matters with Harapan.
Sources told Malaysiakini that MCA being sidelined from important government positions has also affected the attitude of party members.
“It’s as though we are the stepchildren in today’s government.
“But more importantly, in the current situation, most MCA members are convinced that the BN brand can no longer be ‘sold’ to the voters,” he said.
Asked about MCA’s next plan if the party exits BN, the source said it cannot be confirmed yet.
Malaysiakini has contacted MCA president Wee Ka Siong since last week to get his comments, but no response has been received.
The source added that the pressure on the MCA leadership to make a drastic decision intensified after Zahid said BN will continue to work with Pakatan Harapan to face the 16th general election (GE16).
The MCA source said Zahid’s remarks did not bode well with leaders and members of the party.
He said there was incompatibility on many issues but seat distribution was the main reason why MCA grassroots members disagreed with the continued BN-Harapan cooperation.
“For Umno, they won 26 parliamentary seats in GE15 and were still able to get a large share of the 73 parliamentary seats won by Perikatan Nasional.
“But we (MCA) only won two parliamentary seats (in 2022) and may have to clash with PKR and DAP to get other seats from the two parties to contest in the future,” he said.
Support until end of term
In GE15, which took place in November 2022, MCA continued to record abysmal results when the party only won two parliamentary seats - Ayer Hitam and Tanjung Piai.
Wee Ka Siong is the Ayer Hitam MP while Wee Jeck Seng is the Tanjung Piai state assemblyperson.
During last year’s state election, MCA decided not to contest after failing to resolve seat distribution matters with Harapan.
Sources told Malaysiakini that MCA being sidelined from important government positions has also affected the attitude of party members.
“It’s as though we are the stepchildren in today’s government.
“But more importantly, in the current situation, most MCA members are convinced that the BN brand can no longer be ‘sold’ to the voters,” he said.
Asked about MCA’s next plan if the party exits BN, the source said it cannot be confirmed yet.
MCA supporters
However, he was confident the party’s stance is to continue supporting the coalition government until Parliament is dissolved for GE16.
“The support for the government is MCA’s promise to the previous Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Therefore, if we leave BN, we will (still) support the government,” he said.
The source hinted that MCA’s stance in facing the upcoming national polls will be different.
“Perhaps at that time, MCA will collaborate with PN without the need to be a component party of the coalition,” he added.
MIC may follow suit
Meanwhile, another BN component party – MIC – is also seen to be following MCA’s footsteps.
An MIC source said his party’s situation within BN is somewhat the same as MCA, involving seat distribution and being sidelined in the government.
He said the Dewan Negara position– allegedly promised before this – has yet to be fulfilled.
“I would not be surprised if MIC takes the same steps as MCA, which is to leave (BN),” he said.
MIC president SA Vigneswaran, when contacted by Malaysiakini, refused to comment.
“The support for the government is MCA’s promise to the previous Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Therefore, if we leave BN, we will (still) support the government,” he said.
The source hinted that MCA’s stance in facing the upcoming national polls will be different.
“Perhaps at that time, MCA will collaborate with PN without the need to be a component party of the coalition,” he added.
MIC may follow suit
Meanwhile, another BN component party – MIC – is also seen to be following MCA’s footsteps.
An MIC source said his party’s situation within BN is somewhat the same as MCA, involving seat distribution and being sidelined in the government.
He said the Dewan Negara position– allegedly promised before this – has yet to be fulfilled.
“I would not be surprised if MIC takes the same steps as MCA, which is to leave (BN),” he said.
MIC president SA Vigneswaran, when contacted by Malaysiakini, refused to comment.
MCA should join Gelekan in the PN camp.
ReplyDeleteWith the bottomless well of gratitude from the Chinese community for its promotion of TARUC and UTAR , they will bring strong Chinese support for PAS and PN.