JOHOR BARU – Those who intend to see the MCA party president replaced should first identify the individual they believe can do a better job than the incumbent Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, said several grassroots leaders.
Despite the criticisms against the Ayer Hitam lawmaker, Iskandar Puteri MCA division chief Datuk Jason Teoh believes Wee is still the “best of the best from the current batch of leaders” in the party ranks.
Whoever the president is, he will face a humongous task of turning the trust deficit from the people towards MCA. But personally, I don’t think there are others who can replace him.
“The president must be able to command the respect of other component parties as well as having experience in the government at the top level.
“Out of the current bunch of leaders, only Wee had the experience as a full minister and that would be key in transitioning the party into the government,” Teoh told The Vibes when contacted today.
He said that MCA is not part of the ruling government despite being a key Barisan Nasional (BN) component, which has joined hands with Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Sabah and Sarawak coalitions to form a unity government following the 15th general election (GE15).
“We do however continue to be an active partner in the Melaka and Johor governments.”
Teoh said the party should remain united when facing its own election due sometime this year, as MCA has to prepare for the upcoming polls in six states including the PH-governed Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan as well as PAS-led Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.
We need to remain steadfast with BN in these periods. Any call to leave the coalition should only be discussed by the party after we face these battles.
Meanwhile, another party leader, who wished to remain anonymous, said that despite the party’s lack of support from voters, MCA remains one of the strongest grassroots-based parties in the country.
We’re still offering our services to the rakyat and that has become the DNA of our party. Our service centres remain operating despite our shrinking number of elected representatives.
“We might not be a popular choice in the eyes of the rakyat but we’re still here doing our part and would never turn down anyone who seeks our assistance,” said the party leader.
Similarly, he agreed with Teoh that it is better to put aside the question of whether MCA should remain with BN or not for now.
MCA, which won two federal seats and seven state seats in GE15, has no representation in the cabinet.
Recently, Umno leaders had said Wee and MCA’s Tg Piai MP Datuk Seri Wee Jeck Seng were among 10 BN MPs who backed Perikatan Nasional to form the federal government after GE15, earning them brickbats from coalition leaders during the recent Umno general assembly.
Teoh grooming a replacement?
Meanwhile, Teoh indicated that it may be time for a new face to lead the party in Iskandar Puteri, although he stopped short of saying that he will retire from active politics.
“I’ve contested the parliamentary seat twice and lost both times. Perhaps MCA Iskandar Puteri needs someone fresh to help reclaim this seat for us,” he said.
Teoh, a familiar face in Iskandar Puteri, has developed a reputation for being an approachable leader with a sizable following in the constituency.
Despite his popularity, Teoh was defeated by DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang in the 2018 general election and failed in his bid for the seat again during GE15 when he lost to DAP Johor chief Liew Chin Tong. – The Vibes, January 20, 2023
