18 hours ago
Dr Wee: Top brass will weigh grassroots' views on future of MCA
KUALA LUMPUR: MCA's top leadership will take into account feedback from the grassroots before making any decision on the party's future direction, says party president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
He was responding to resolutions passed unanimously by several MCA divisions during their annual general meetings calling for Barisan Nasional (BN) to be dissolved.
MCA's 191 divisions are currently holding meetings to propose resolutions on the party's future. The resolutions urged the party to transform itself into an independent national political entity and contest future general elections under the MCA logo.
They also firmly rejected any form of political cooperation with DAP.
Dr Wee said the MCA Central Committee would carefully consider the views expressed by grassroots members.
'The party leadership will listen to the voices on the ground. I myself have visited several states to engage with members and hear their views.
(Left to Right) Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, Michael Soo and Raphael Tay delivering a special address and attending the book launch of Malaysia Business Law Review at a talk on Navigating the Impact of Tariffs on China-Malaysia Trade. — AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star
'When the time comes to decide, the Central Committee will make its decision,' he said after attending the Malaysian Business Law Review book launch yesterday.
Dr Wee said June is the month when MCA state-level divisions hold their annual general meetings, and these provide a good opportunity to gauge wider sentiments.
Dr Wee stressed that while the leadership respects the grassroots members' views, the party's immediate focus is preparing for the upcoming state elections.
'With a few state polls approaching, MCA's priority now is to be well-prepared for those contests,' he said.
All MCA divisions across the peninsula and in Sabah are currently convening for their annual general meetings (AGMs), with state-level AGMs scheduled for next month.
The party does not have a presence in Sarawak.
However, Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in an earlier statement said he was confident that MCA would remain in the coalition, despite possible calls within the party to push for a departure.
Meanwhile, on the tariffs imposed by the US administration on Malaysian goods, Dr Wee, who is also Ayer Hitam MP, said the three-month grace period would end on July 9.
'Only then will we fully understand the extent of the impact. Negotiations are ongoing, and I wish Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, who is currently in Washington DC leading the talks, and the Malaysian delegation all the best,' he said.
Dr Wee pointed out that Malaysia's trade deficit with the US stands at just 5.6% – a far cry from the 47% figure previously cited by American officials.
'There is a significant disparity in the data. Dialogue is the way forward that would serve the interests of both nations.'
Malaysia faces a 24% tariff on certain exports to the US unless both sides can reach an agreement before the 90-day pause.
Separately, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim revealed that ongoing negotiations with the US over its unilateral tariffs are progressing well.
Earlier, Dr Wee officiated the launch of the Malaysian Business Law Review, a joint publication by RDS Partnership and DeHeng Law Office.
The book aims to provide Chinese investors with accessible, Mandarin-language insights into Malaysia's business legal landscape.
He said the book's focus on key areas such as corporate law, intellectual property, taxation and employment law makes it a valuable reference for investors.
'The use of Mandarin enhances accessibility for Chinese-speaking legal professionals and helps position Malaysian legal perspectives within the broader Belt and Road legal discourse,' he said.
