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Stay or leave? MCA grassroots press party on future in BN
2 hours ago
Minderjeet Kaur
Vice-president Wee Jeck Seng says the party’s leadership is carefully weighing grassroots feedback, noting that not all members support a withdrawal from BN
Many MCA divisions remain steadfast in their belief that the party can play a meaningful role in shaping the nation’s development and trajectory if given the opportunity, says Selangor MCA deputy chairman Tan Gim Tuan. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA: MCA’s 191 divisions are currently holding meetings to propose resolutions on the party’s future, amid growing grassroots frustration over its role in Barisan Nasional and the unity government.
In Kelantan, there is discontent over the party being overlooked for the Kota Lama state seat two years ago, especially given its longstanding service in the constituency where 31% of the electorate are Chinese.
In Kelantan, there is discontent over the party being overlooked for the Kota Lama state seat two years ago, especially given its longstanding service in the constituency where 31% of the electorate are Chinese.
Chua Hock Kuan.
“We were denied Kota Lama, our traditional seat,” said Kelantan MCA chief Chua Hock Kuan. Instead, Amanah’s Dr Hafidzah Mustakim was picked, and secured the seat for the unity coalition.
There was also disgruntlement over MCA being excluded from holding even minor posts in the state, leaving members feeling as though they were not part of the unity government, said Chua.
He said Putrajaya did not offer Kelantan MCA any village head posts, although that has not stopped the party from serving the people on the ground.
“We are still doing our work, running community-based programmes and organising traditional Chinese festivals. We are supposed to be one ‘family’ but we are not made to feel this way,” he said.
“We don’t feel like we are part of the unity government.”
MCA and Umno have been political allies since Malaysia’s independence, first under the Alliance Party and later BN.
Once the dominant party representing Chinese voters, MCA’s influence has waned considerably since the 2008 general election, with the community’s support shifting to DAP.
All MCA divisions across the peninsula and in Sabah are currently convening for their annual general meetings (AGMs), with state-level AGMs scheduled for next month. The party does not have a presence in Sarawak.
“We were denied Kota Lama, our traditional seat,” said Kelantan MCA chief Chua Hock Kuan. Instead, Amanah’s Dr Hafidzah Mustakim was picked, and secured the seat for the unity coalition.
There was also disgruntlement over MCA being excluded from holding even minor posts in the state, leaving members feeling as though they were not part of the unity government, said Chua.
He said Putrajaya did not offer Kelantan MCA any village head posts, although that has not stopped the party from serving the people on the ground.
“We are still doing our work, running community-based programmes and organising traditional Chinese festivals. We are supposed to be one ‘family’ but we are not made to feel this way,” he said.
“We don’t feel like we are part of the unity government.”
MCA and Umno have been political allies since Malaysia’s independence, first under the Alliance Party and later BN.
Once the dominant party representing Chinese voters, MCA’s influence has waned considerably since the 2008 general election, with the community’s support shifting to DAP.
All MCA divisions across the peninsula and in Sabah are currently convening for their annual general meetings (AGMs), with state-level AGMs scheduled for next month. The party does not have a presence in Sarawak.
Tan Gim Tuan.
Selangor MCA deputy chairman Tan Gim Tuan said there were growing calls for the party to withdraw from BN, with frustration mounting among members who feel the unity government is not doing enough for the rakyat.
He said the party was seeing “strong” and “enthusiastic” feedback from its grassroots which want it to play “an important role” in the nation rather than just stay on the sidelines.
Tan said many members were concerned about various challenges affecting the country, including strained inter-ethnic relationships and the rising cost of living. They feel that the situation has not improved under the present administration, he added.
“The economy is not that good with the cost of living going up. MCA did a lot for the Chinese community but what are they (DAP) fighting for?”
Tan said about 60% of MCA’s divisions in Selangor have already met, with all divisions expected to furnish their state chiefs a list of resolutions passed at their respective meetings by June 29.
He said the divisions that have already convened their meetings remain steadfast in their belief that MCA can play a meaningful role in shaping the nation’s development and trajectory if given the opportunity.
“They say MCA has the experience, having gone through ups and downs with the country since independence. The party must play an important role, especially now when things are uncertain,” said Tan.
Seat allocations key to relevance
Former MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker warned that the party risked becoming irrelevant if current seat allocation trends persist, with DAP and Umno likely to gain at the party’s expense.
Selangor MCA deputy chairman Tan Gim Tuan said there were growing calls for the party to withdraw from BN, with frustration mounting among members who feel the unity government is not doing enough for the rakyat.
He said the party was seeing “strong” and “enthusiastic” feedback from its grassroots which want it to play “an important role” in the nation rather than just stay on the sidelines.
Tan said many members were concerned about various challenges affecting the country, including strained inter-ethnic relationships and the rising cost of living. They feel that the situation has not improved under the present administration, he added.
“The economy is not that good with the cost of living going up. MCA did a lot for the Chinese community but what are they (DAP) fighting for?”
Tan said about 60% of MCA’s divisions in Selangor have already met, with all divisions expected to furnish their state chiefs a list of resolutions passed at their respective meetings by June 29.
He said the divisions that have already convened their meetings remain steadfast in their belief that MCA can play a meaningful role in shaping the nation’s development and trajectory if given the opportunity.
“They say MCA has the experience, having gone through ups and downs with the country since independence. The party must play an important role, especially now when things are uncertain,” said Tan.
Seat allocations key to relevance
Former MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker warned that the party risked becoming irrelevant if current seat allocation trends persist, with DAP and Umno likely to gain at the party’s expense.
Ti Lian Ker.
“If the BN-Pakatan Harapan’s incumbency-based formula in distributing seats remains, MCA and MIC will be the biggest losers.
“This has been seen as Umno sidelining its BN allies, allowing DAP to prevail over MCA and MIC, as DAP and PH have traditionally contested in MCA and MIC’s mixed-seats,” said the Kuantan MCA chief.
It that continues, Ti warned that MCA could end up with just two parliamentary seats and seven state seats in the next general election.
“It doesn’t do justice to MCA as a founding member of BN which has worked hand-in-hand with Umno since independence.”
“If the BN-Pakatan Harapan’s incumbency-based formula in distributing seats remains, MCA and MIC will be the biggest losers.
“This has been seen as Umno sidelining its BN allies, allowing DAP to prevail over MCA and MIC, as DAP and PH have traditionally contested in MCA and MIC’s mixed-seats,” said the Kuantan MCA chief.
It that continues, Ti warned that MCA could end up with just two parliamentary seats and seven state seats in the next general election.
“It doesn’t do justice to MCA as a founding member of BN which has worked hand-in-hand with Umno since independence.”
Wee Jeck Seng.
MCA vice-president Wee Jeck Seng said the party’s top leadership will listen closely to feedback from the ground before deciding on the next course of action.
Wee, one of MCA’s two MPs, said not all rank and file members want the party to pull out of BN. He said the party leadership’s decision would be based on what the grassroots want.
“MCA must study the political dynamics, including how to strengthen the party and how to gain strong support again,” said the Tanjung Piai MP.
MCA vice-president Wee Jeck Seng said the party’s top leadership will listen closely to feedback from the ground before deciding on the next course of action.
Wee, one of MCA’s two MPs, said not all rank and file members want the party to pull out of BN. He said the party leadership’s decision would be based on what the grassroots want.
“MCA must study the political dynamics, including how to strengthen the party and how to gain strong support again,” said the Tanjung Piai MP.
Sivamurugan Pandian
Separately, political analyst Sivamurugan Pandian, of Universiti Sains Malaysia, advised MCA to keep communications on its future in BN within the coalition, since they have been long-time allies.
“Whatever the communication among members, it should stay within BN’s four walls. Use that to discuss how to bring BN back as the people’s choice. Don’t just talk about leaving,” he said.
Sivamurugan said MCA could use BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s assurance that MCA has a place in government as leverage in future seat allocation discussions.
Separately, political analyst Sivamurugan Pandian, of Universiti Sains Malaysia, advised MCA to keep communications on its future in BN within the coalition, since they have been long-time allies.
“Whatever the communication among members, it should stay within BN’s four walls. Use that to discuss how to bring BN back as the people’s choice. Don’t just talk about leaving,” he said.
Sivamurugan said MCA could use BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s assurance that MCA has a place in government as leverage in future seat allocation discussions.
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