As frustration with BN grows, MCA leaders urge party to chart own path
Published: Apr 28, 2025 2:36 PM
Updated: 5:33 PM
Summary
- MCA leaders express frustration over BN’s lack of clear direction nearly three years after GE15, urging the party to independently decide its future.
- The decision not to contest in state elections and continued sidelining have demoralised MCA members, prompting some defections to Bersatu.
- MCA leaders advocate for grassroots consultations and a proactive, reform-minded approach to reclaim public support ahead of the next general election.
MCA secretary-general Chong Sin Woon has called on the party to take charge of its own future if BN continues to delay making clear decisions regarding its direction.
Speaking at the opening of the Selayang MCA division’s 2025 annual general meeting last night, Chong said MCA had already given BN more than two years to recalibrate after GE15, but the coalition’s ongoing indecision has left MCA members frustrated and uncertain.
If BN still fails to provide a clear path forward, MCA must take the initiative to determine its own course, he was reported as saying by Sin Chew Daily.
Chong proposed that MCA’s nationwide divisional meetings in June should prioritise discussions on the party’s future, gathering grassroots opinions to be presented to the central leadership. He also hopes the year-end MCA annual general assembly will see robust debates on the party’s direction and potential electoral allies.
Despite MCA’s decades of loyalty as a core member of BN, Chong noted that the party has been repeatedly sidelined.
“We have made every possible effort to convey our views to BN, including issuing numerous statements and raising many ideas and questions at the BN supreme council and secretary-general meetings,” he said.
Now, he added, MCA must shift its mindset and make decisions for its own future.
Disillusionment after state polls
Reflecting on the 2023 six-state elections, Chong noted that MCA’s decision not to contest - after negotiations with BN and Pakatan Harapan yielded unfavourable results - caused a “cold wind” of disillusionment among party members.
“In the Selangor election, we once contested 14 seats, but this time, not a single seat was given to us. Later, during the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election - a traditional MCA seat - it was again not allocated to us. Our members in Selangor felt even more disappointed,” he said.
MCA sec-gen Chong Sin Woon
He further highlighted that dissatisfaction had led to some MCA members, including former leaders, defecting to Bersatu, where they were reportedly promised candidacy for parliamentary and state seats - a trend the party must take seriously.
Chong stressed that the main cause of the unrest is the absence of a clear direction for the next general election, including uncertainty over future alliances - whether to continue under the coalition government framework or contest independently.
He added that without seats to contest, the motivation to work and serve would inevitably decline, noting that similar sentiments were also brewing among Umno grassroots, signalling wider unease within BN’s traditional base.
Vice-president echoes call
MCA vice-president Tan Teik Cheng echoed Chong’s call, stressing that politics offers no room for charity or pity, and MCA must proactively determine its future based on current realities.
“From the Alliance to BN, MCA has fought side by side with other BN component parties for decades, jointly facing various challenges. For MCA, BN’s consensus on moderation, diversity, and shared values enabled the defence of constitutional rights for all ethnic groups,” he said.
“Until BN’s defeats in the 2018 and 2022 general elections, MCA’s priority was to advance and retreat together with BN allies to regain the support of Malaysians.”
He further highlighted that dissatisfaction had led to some MCA members, including former leaders, defecting to Bersatu, where they were reportedly promised candidacy for parliamentary and state seats - a trend the party must take seriously.
Chong stressed that the main cause of the unrest is the absence of a clear direction for the next general election, including uncertainty over future alliances - whether to continue under the coalition government framework or contest independently.
He added that without seats to contest, the motivation to work and serve would inevitably decline, noting that similar sentiments were also brewing among Umno grassroots, signalling wider unease within BN’s traditional base.
Vice-president echoes call
MCA vice-president Tan Teik Cheng echoed Chong’s call, stressing that politics offers no room for charity or pity, and MCA must proactively determine its future based on current realities.
“From the Alliance to BN, MCA has fought side by side with other BN component parties for decades, jointly facing various challenges. For MCA, BN’s consensus on moderation, diversity, and shared values enabled the defence of constitutional rights for all ethnic groups,” he said.
“Until BN’s defeats in the 2018 and 2022 general elections, MCA’s priority was to advance and retreat together with BN allies to regain the support of Malaysians.”
MCA vice-president Tan Teik Cheng
However, Tan pointed out, it has now been nearly three years since 2022, and with the next general election looming, BN has yet to present a clear plan.“As an independent and responsible party, MCA must prioritise its own survival and development, and cannot continue to remain passive,” he asserted.
He supported calls for extensive grassroots discussions to formulate specific action plans and clear strategies, uniting the party to win broader public and Chinese community support.
Tan added that MCA must approach the new era with an open mind - not only safeguarding existing rights but also actively forging new paths.By demonstrating genuine reform and innovation, he said, MCA can rebuild public trust and recognition.
However, Tan pointed out, it has now been nearly three years since 2022, and with the next general election looming, BN has yet to present a clear plan.“As an independent and responsible party, MCA must prioritise its own survival and development, and cannot continue to remain passive,” he asserted.
He supported calls for extensive grassroots discussions to formulate specific action plans and clear strategies, uniting the party to win broader public and Chinese community support.
Tan added that MCA must approach the new era with an open mind - not only safeguarding existing rights but also actively forging new paths.By demonstrating genuine reform and innovation, he said, MCA can rebuild public trust and recognition.
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