MCA reminds BN leaders to focus on coalition's survival, revival instead of relying on others
MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng said recent remarks by MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon about Barisan's lack of a clear direction were grounded 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 Thursday (May 1).
Wee's comments came in response to criticism by Umno supreme council member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi, who had accused MCA of faulting BN without self-reflection.
Puad was responding to Chong who had recently urged MCA to take charge of its destiny if Barisan continued to drag its feet over a clear direction for the coalition.
'We sympathise with MCA. However, MCA should not blame BN 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 (GE15)? This has nothing to do with Barisan,' Puad said in a Facebook post.
Wee also reiterated that MCA's stance is that Barisan must define a clear direction as the coalition remains the ideal choice for Malaysians.
'All of 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 strength and principles.'
Wee also added that MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, in several of his speeches during party gatherings and celebrations, had repeatedly stressed that MCA's current priority is to strengthen the party and restore Barisan's position.
This, he said, demonstrated MCA's continued loyalty to its role as a component party and its commitment to working with coalition partners to regain public support.
'MCA firmly believes that Barisan's multiracial power-sharing model, and its practice of moderate, inclusive politics, remains 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 also called on Puad to engage in self-reflection and return to the right path upholding the spirit of Barisan rather than relying on others purely for personal survival.
He added that Puad's remarks appeared to lean in favour of Pakatan Harapan, rather than aiming to restore Barisan, and risk dismantling the "house" that has been built since 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 BN and alienate more of its members.
'What Puad needs to confront is the genuine concern among coalition members including Umno members about whether Barisan should continue to bow and rely on others, or instead fully deliberate and determine its future direction, focusing on efforts to revive BN as a leading political force once again.
'Even Puad himself has said that Barisan must uphold the values of moderation and values that 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?' Mike asked.
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