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Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
No proof of MCA being sidelined, say Umno leaders
MCA president Wee Ka Siong together with leaders from other BN partners at Umno's 79th anniversary celebration on May 11. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Several Umno leaders have denied claims that the party is now prioritising DAP, a long-time adversary of its Barisan Nasional coalition partner MCA. Umno Supreme Council member Shahaniza Shamsuddin said MCA continues to be involved in Umno programmes and even holds positions in BN-led state governments, such as in Pahang. She cited the appointment of Temerloh MCA chief Wong Tat Chee as an assemblyman in Pahang, as well as that of former MCA Youth chief Nicole Wong as a special officer to deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Umno president. 'What evidence is there of MCA being sidelined? Even MCA president Wee Ka Siong attended Umno's 79th anniversary celebration. 'MCA should focus on strengthening BN to win the 16th general election and move forward,' she told FMT, dismissing the allegations as merely the personal opinion of certain individuals. Yesterday, former MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker said the party must assert its own direction in view of the fact that members were increasingly feeling that they had been left in the lurch by BN lynchpin Umno. He said MCA members were of the view that Umno was favouring DAP, the party's bitter rival. Ti said that it would be 'irresponsible' for MCA to abandon BN in its current state, but felt the party should strive to win seats in the next general election without relying on its allies. Meanwhile, Puteri Umno chief Nurul Amal Fauzi urged MCA to work with Umno to rebuild BN, which has seen a steady decline since losing its grip on federal power after GE14. 'BN is the best coalition to represent all communities and was widely accepted until the rise of Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional. We should be thinking not just about our respective parties, but about the country,' she said, calling on MCA to join forces in attracting young voters. 'Together, we must help them understand the importance of politics in ensuring national stability for all.'
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Umno leader denies MCA sidelined in favour of DAP, says party still active in BN and state govts
KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 – An Umno leader has reportedly dismissed claims that the party is prioritising the DAP over its Barisan Nasional (BN) ally MCA, saying MCA remains actively involved in BN activities and state administrations. Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Shahaniza Shamsuddin highlighted that MCA leaders still hold posts within BN-led governments. 'What evidence is there of MCA being sidelined? Even MCA president [Datuk Seri] Wee Ka Siong attended Umno's 79th anniversary celebration,' Shahaniza was quoted saying by Free Malaysia Today. Shahaniza highlighted Temerloh MCA chief Wong Tat Chee's appointment as a Pahang assemblyman, and former MCA Youth chief Nicole Wong's role as a special officer to Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to back her point. She also said MCA should focus on strengthening BN ahead of the 16th general election. Her remarks came in response to former MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker, who said the party must chart its own course amid growing discontent among members who feel sidelined by Umno's alleged leanings towards DAP. Ti said it would be 'irresponsible' for MCA to abandon BN now, but stressed the party should aim to secure its own victories in the next general election rather than relying on allies. Umno and MCA are founding members of BN, a coalition that has since been part of the unity government coalition with Pakatan Harapan, Gabungan Parti Sarawak and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Not right for MCA to abandon BN now, says former vice-president
Former MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker said party members are increasingly feeling that they had been left in the lurch by BN lynchpin Umno. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : A former MCA vice-president said it would be 'irresponsible' for the party to abandon Barisan Nasional in its current state, but felt the party should strive to win seats in the next general election without relying on its allies. Ti Lian Ker said BN was currently enduring a difficult time as its irrelevance among the non-Malay voters, who no longer buy into race-based politics, continued to grow. However, he said, the reality was that race and religious-based politics remained a dominant feature in the country's political landscape. Such a trend was evidenced by the growing popularity of PAS and the emergence of the likes of parties such as Bersatu, Amanah, and Pejuang. Ti said MCA should assert its own direction in view of the fact that members were increasingly feeling that they had been left in the lurch by BN lynchpin Umno. He said MCA members were of the view that Umno was favouring DAP, the party's bitter rival. 'As it stands, it seems that MCA is being pushed to the corner and doing what needs to be done in order to survive,' he told FMT. Ti had in April compared MCA and Umno to a troubled marriage involving an estranged wife and runaway husband. He was commenting on a report by a Chinese daily that Kuantan MCA would propose that a vote be carried out during divisional meetings in June on whether discussions should be held on quitting BN. Ti, who is the Kuantan MCA chief, rubbished the report, saying no such proposal had been made. The former deputy minister said it would be reckless for MCA to quit BN, which was founded on the spirit of multiculturalism, accommodation and inclusiveness. He said BN emphasised tolerance, consensus-building and co-existence, principles that were put into practice after Malaya achieved independence, and the subsequent formation of Malaysia. 'Therefore, it will be irresponsible for MCA to leave BN and what it stood for after decades of political stability and growth. 'MCA must remain in BN to ensure that these principles are upheld,' he said. Ti had admitted last month that MCA was currently at a crossroads, as the party must decide whether to remain in BN and be satisfied with 'crumbs thrown its way', or break away to forge its own path at the risk of losing everything. He had said that by continuing in BN, MCA might end up proving DAP's claim that the party had always been subservient to Umno. This, he said, would tarnish the party's image and credibility. While he believes that MCA must not quit BN, Ti said the party needed a 'reset' and must be prepared to stand on its own in the event Umno opted to collaborate with DAP in the long run.
Free Malaysia Today
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Nga's tea invite to MACC chief reeks of arrogance, says ex-MCA veep
Former MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker said housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming should just reveal the details of any feasibility study done prior to the rolling out of the MyKiosk 2.0 project. PETALING JAYA : Housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming's plan to invite the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief for 'tea' to discuss concerns surrounding the MyKiosk 2.0 project reeks of arrogance and abuse of power, a former MCA vice-president said. Ti Lian Ker described Nga's remark as a 'blatant and haughty display of position and power'. 'When someone in high public office extends a 'tea invitation' to the very person meant to hold the government accountable, it suggests that the officer can be compromised, subordinated or that the issues raised can be suppressed. 'Such statements reflect badly and paint a negative picture for an administration that is championing clean governance. This is also a disservice to Azam Baki, who is holding a sensitive position and is supposed to be publicly seen as an independent actor' he told FMT, referring to the MACC chief commissioner. Ti said Nga's statement could be detrimental and negative to public perception of the outcome of any investigation into the MyKiosk project. If MACC clears the ministry of any wrongdoing, the public will now question if the probe was done 'under duress or out of fear and favour', due to the tea session, he said. 'His statement reflects badly on good governance and muddies the perception of impartiality and accountability. 'Nga has given a reason for the public to possibly doubt the integrity of the investigation,' he said, adding that it also gives the impression that the minister is shielded and 'untouchable'. Ti went on to question if a feasibility study was done before the project was rolled out, saying if one was carried out, Nga should reveal its details to show the accountability that he had promised. He said highlighting the findings of the study would help clear the air, allay any concerns and shut down critics more effectively. 'Instead of taking cheap shots at MCA, Nga should rely on facts and show good governance to silence detractors,' Ti said. It was reported two days ago that Nga had invited Azam for tea when stating that the ministry was open to being probed by the anti-graft agency. MACC's potential involvement follows claims the government was paying RM25,000 to RM34,000 per kiosk when the market price was only RM12,800 per unit. Nga has since said the RM25,000 figure was misleading as it included the cost of solar panels, fans, stoves, transportation, installation, and site set-up.
Free Malaysia Today
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Stop attacking, we're on the same side, DAP man tells MCA
Johor DAP vice-chairman Sheikh Umar Ali said DAP has been consistent in its principles. (X pic) PETALING JAYA : A Johor DAP leader has said there is no need for MCA to attack his party which is part of the coalition forming the unity government following allegations of inconsistency on the part of DAP. 'Unless MCA is out to weaken the current government – then it is free to attack and label DAP as it chooses,' Sheikh Umar Ali, the Johor DAP vice-chairman, told FMT, adding that DAP had been consistent in its principles. Sheikh Umar, a former assemblyman for Paloh, said DAP joined forces with parties in the unity government, including its rival Umno, to ensure political and economic stability as ordered by the king. 'Our collaboration with parties in the unity government is for the people and the country,' he said. MCA is a Barisan Nasional component. Its former vice-chairman Ti Lian Ker recently said that the inconsistency shown by DAP on matters of principle was among the main reasons that MCA would never join forces with its bitter rivals. Ti said DAP had 'sung different tunes' at different times to suit its interests, adding that it had flip-flopped on former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and PAS, among others. The former deputy unity minister had touched on DAP's alleged inconsistency when commenting on a suggestion that MCA merge with the Pakatan Harapan component.
