Ramsamy: Time to restore dignity; it's now or never for MCA to bid farewell to BN coalition
THE United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) fully supports the stand of some sections in MCA to break away from Barisan Nasional (BN) in general and UMNO in particular.
Contrary to the warning issued by the UMNO supreme council member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi, MCA is already in a deep mess within BN let alone digging its own grave by leaving the coalition.
Although MCA has yet to make the final move, it is nevertheless clear that remaining in BN with UMNO's new-found ally DAP does not augur well for the grand old party of the Chinese.
If UMNO can embrace its bitter political enemy despite years of bitterness and animosity, then UMNO in the eyes of the MCA has become unreliable and not trustworthy.
Following the last general elections in 2022, UMNO was instrumental in not allocating ministerial positions for MCA and MIC.
The latest assurance of UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that MCA and MIC will be considered for ministerial positions seems to be less than honest.
Editor's Note: Zahid who is also the BN chairman had expressed confidence that MCA will remain in the coalition despite speculation of an internal push for the party to leave.
'There's no such thing (as MCA leaving BN). If it were happening, I'd hear it directly from MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong,' Zahid who is also the Deputy Prime Minister said after launching the Port Dickson UMNO division delegates meeting over the weekend (June 15).
'Perhaps there are movements by certain quarters; I've been told about that but the decision of their central committee suggests otherwise.
In the Cabinet appointments, UMNO grabbed all the positions leaving MCA and MIC with nothing.
While there are reasons why the MIC is reluctant to leave the fold of the BN and more so the PH-led coalition, there is nothing for MCA to gain by prolonging its stay within the BN coalition.
By prolonging its stay in the BN, MCA is only digging its own grave. Leaving the BN means among other things restoration of dignity and the chance to climb out of the coffin.
MCA or the MIC cannot wait for the right circumstances to leave, decision must be made under the circumstances that present themselves.
It is now or never for MCA that is on the verge of drowning in the tears of sorrow and indignity. – June 17, 2025
Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia
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