KUALA LUMPUR – As Perikatan Nasional (PN) doubles its effort to woo parties and MPs from across the aisle to cross over, MCA has pledged to remain with Barisan Nasional (BN) in facing the 15th general election.
Announcing this at MCA’s 67th annual general assembly today, party president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong said BN has proven it is able to ride out any challenge since its formation in 1973.
He added that celebration of cultural diversity, moderation and inclusivity as practised by the coalition is in line with MCA’s struggles.
“As such, in the coming GE15, MCA will continue to remain with BN to ensure it secures a victory,” he said in his address at the assembly.
Wee said that the party will also consider working with other entities if there is a need, to build its strength in championing the spirit of diversity and moderation for the sake of the country.
He noted that unlike in previous times, there is no longer one dominant party in the country that is able to form the government.
“MCA must move with the times and take into consideration all views in order to remain relevant,” he said.
In recent weeks, multiple reports have surfaced of attempts by PN to get MPs from other parties to join the coalition, especially those from the opposition.
To date, Julau MP Larry Sng and Tebrau MP Steven Choong, both from PKR, have pledged their allegiance to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is PN chairman, while Gerakan officially joined PN last month.
MCA’s relationship with Umno has also not been on the best terms, following BN’s defeat in the last general election. In a joint statement with MIC in March 2019, the party had claimed it was considering new political alliances.
The party was also unhappy after Umno made a unilateral decision to sack BN secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa in January this year and appoint Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan as his replacement, although there had not been any real threats by Annuar to leave BN.
Meanwhile, Wee said he hopes Chinese voters will provide more support for the party in the coming polls, both at the federal and state levels.
At present, MCA only has two members in Dewan Rakyat, namely Ka Siong, who is Ayer Hitam MP, and Wee Jeck Seng, who is Tg Piai lawmaker.
“GE15 is very important for us to know who the rakyat will choose, and it will determine our fate. It will be a huge challenge as we must ensure we win more seats so we can strengthen the party.
“So please, give MCA the chance to have a stronger voice in Parliament and state assemblies, so that we can address issues concerning the public holistically. It will also ensure the Chinese will not be sidelined in our national development,” Ka Siong said. – The Vibes, March 7, 2021
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