KUALA LUMPUR – Amid intense speculation that MCA continues to associate itself with the Perikatan Nasional administration, president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong has expressed the party’s firm commitment to Barisan Nasional.
In a Facebook post last night, he said MCA has never intended to join any other coalition, adding that its cooperation with PN was reached based on a collective decision by BN previously.
The party’s decision to remain with BN was endorsed during the MCA annual general assembly on March 7, he said.
Ka Siong’s comments follow BN adviser and former Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s reminder to MCA on who its “true friend” is.
Pointing to the BN supreme council meeting in March last year, shortly after the collapse of the PH government, Ka Siong said the pact had agreed that its MPs would join PN en bloc, and adopted a “no PKR, no DAP” stand.
MCA supported BN’s collective decision. As long as this decision remains, MCA will stay true to it. (The decision) was reached based on consensus, as has always been practised.
“In fact, on July 29, 2021, all BN MPs were asked to attend a meeting in Parliament to discuss our stand. The majority of MPs were present, including Najib, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup and me.
“I supported the collective decision made by the BN MPs then, because it is consistent with the supreme council’s decision in March 2020.”
On Saturday night, Najib uploaded a video on Facebook of a Malay woman in BN colours campaigning under the pouring rain for MCA’s Datuk Seri Wee Jeck Seng during the Tg Piai by-election on November 16, 2019.
“Have you forgotten who gave you the most ardent support, through rain or shine? Have you forgotten who the opponent was at the time?
“You may have forgotten, but we in Umno never forget.”
The post comes amid brewing tension within BN over the political stand of opposing factions.
Ka Siong said MCA has never forgotten the sacrifices made by Umno in helping Jeck Seng win the Tg Piai polls, and thanked the Malay party.
“MCA is a loyal friend to Umno and MIC. We will remain together through thick or thin because we stand by the BN spirit, adopt the concept of consensus in decision-making, and respect one another.”
On Umno’s infighting, he expressed confidence that the BN lynchpin is politically wise and will be able to address its problems.
Whatever decisions are made within the respective BN components will be brought up to the coalition’s highest decision-making body for consideration, he said.
On Tuesday, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced the decision of the party’s Supreme Council to officially withdraw support for PN and Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
On Friday, Deputy Prime Minister and Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri led a group of BN MPs in pledging support for the government, in what is seen as a rift between the party and coalition. – The Vibes, August 9, 2021
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