Time to restore party's strength

The Star

02-05-2025

Keeping the 'house' strong: (from left) Wee, Chong and Mike Chong say they are genuinely concern for the coalition's future.
PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional leaders should refocus on the coalition's survival and revival rather than diverting attention or relying heavily on other parties for political continuity, says MCA.
Its vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng said recent remarks by MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon regarding Barisan's lack of clear direction were rooted in genuine concern for the coalition's future, not intended to assign blame.
'His statement reflects the aspirations of MCA's grassroots. As the party's secretary-general, it is Chong's duty to convey these voices to fellow component parties,' said the Tanjung Piai MP in a statement.
Wee's comments came following criticism from Umno supreme council member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi, who accused MCA of faulting Barisan without engaging in self-reflection.
Puad had responded to Chong's earlier call for MCA to take charge of its destiny should Barisan continue to delay setting a clear direction for the coalition.
'We sympathise with MCA. However, MCA should not blame Barisan for this. MCA must ask itself: why has support for the party from the Chinese community declined?
'Why did MCA win only two (parliamentary) seats in the 15th General Election? This has nothing to do with Barisan,' Puad said in a Facebook post.
However, Wee reiterated MCA's position that Barisan must define a clear direction, as the coalition remains the ideal choice for Malaysians.
'All of the Barisan component parties including Umno, MCA and MIC must rebuild their confidence in the coalition and work diligently towards its recovery, rather than continuing to rely on external parties, which ultimately weakens Barisan's strength and principles,' he added
He also said that party president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong had repeatedly stressed in his speeches during party gatherings and celebrations that MCA's current priority is to strengthen the party and restore Barisan's standing.
This, he added, demonstrated MCA's continued loyalty as a coalition partner and its commitment to working with other component parties to regain public support.
'MCA firmly believes that Barisan's multiracial power-sharing model and its practice of moderate, inclusive politics remain the most realistic and effective approach for governing a plural society.
'This approach not only preserves racial harmony and social stability, but also drives national development and prosperity.
'In reality, any governing political coalition would inevitably adopt the coalition's model,' he said.
MCA Youth deputy chief Mike Chong has called on Puad to engage in self-reflection and return to upholding the spirit of Barisan instead of relying on others purely for political survival.
He added that Puad's remarks appeared to lean in favour of Pakatan Harapan than with efforts to rebuild Barisan, warning that this risks dismantling the 'house' that had been built long before the country's independence.
'This is why MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon stressed that Barisan lacks a clear direction. His statement also reflects the voice of the majority of Barisan grassroots members.
'Puad should not continue to ignore the grassroots. Doing so will only weaken Barisan and alienate more of its members.'
Chong added that the coalition must confront real concerns raised by members of the coalition including Umno, whether Barisan should continue to bow and rely on others or instead, fully deliberate and decide its own path forward, focusing on efforts to revive Barisan as a leading political force once again.
'Even Puad himself has said that Barisan must uphold the values of moderation that it has long practised.
'The question is, can Puad honestly say that his new allies, especially those from DAP, uphold those same values of moderation? Or are they still deeply entrenched in the politics of extremism and destruction?' Chong said.