MCA going solo
The greatest challenge faced by MCA does not come from DAP or Keadilan, but UMNO. The space for the party's survival doesn't come from the decisions made by the voters, but the bosom and vision of UMNO.
By TAY TIAN YAN/Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily
Recently, a "sensitive" opinion poll was going on in the MCA president's blog. The question was: Should MCA pull out from Barisan National?
In my opinion, we do not need to overinterpret this matter; neither does it hint that Ong Tee Keat really harbours such an intention. However, other people, including those in UMNO, may not think the same. At least it will trigger a great deal of conjectures.
No matter what, Najib has said it was just an academic research, and he did not think MCA would actually withdraw from BN.
In this matter, UMNO seems to be full of confidence, knowing that MCA would not fly away even if it has been endowed with a pair of wings. As for MCA, the party is much accustomed to its old nest, and we are not sure whether it can really fly away even with those wings!
Having said that, as an academic research, the outcome of this poll still warrants some serious studies. From the 2,500 replies received, some 75% of respondents think MCA should quit BN.
I don't know the backgrounds of these respondents, but based on common sense, visitors to the MCA president's blog should be predominantly MCA members or supporters.
So, when even MCA's supporters feel that the party should pull out, the direction is clear enough: there is really problem with BN!
MCA leaders often find it tough to defend even many of BN government's policies.
The unequal relationship between UMNO and MCA makes it very hard for MCA leaders to explain to the public.
Although a new president is now taking charge in UMNO, and a new president has also been elected for MCA, we still don't see major changes in the existing policies, and the old relationship remains much the same.
With BN and UMNO still clinging on to their old self, MCA's crisis could only get further entrenched.
MCA lost a big chunk of its parliamentary seats in the general elections last March. How well can its existing 15 seats withstand the impact of the next general elections remains unknown.
The greatest challenge faced by MCA does not come from DAP or Keadilan, but UMNO. The space for the party's survival doesn't come from the decisions made by the voters, but the bosom and vision of UMNO.
If UMNO does possess any respectable measure of political wisdom, it should be well aware that a frail MCA is not going to augur well for UMNO or BN.
Now that Najib has admitted that MCA is a senior partner in BN, he should allow MCA to play a more important role within the ruling coalition.
MCA, meanwhile, must also harness its "senior partner" status and exert its full potentials.
For instance, when UMNO and PAS are trying to woo each other into a unity government, MCA should be the first to jump out and declare: "I am a senior partner in Barisan Nasional. You need to get my permission first. Such a unity government will only disrupt the nature of BN, and if you insist to go ahead with it, MCA will pull out from BN as a protest."
Such a MCA will surely garner more votes and applause.
