Sec-gen rubbishes report MCA mulling BN exit

Chong Sin Woon says there have been no such discussions, while another party leader who chose to be anonymous claims certain quarters want to divide Barisan Nasional.

(FMT) – MCA secretary-general Chong Sin Woon has rubbished a report that the party’s top leadership is under pressure from its grassroots to leave the Barisan Nasional coalition.

“Not true. No such discussions within the party,” he told FMT briefly when contacted.

Another MCA leader, who wanted to remain anonymous, claimed that certain quarters were trying to divide BN, which the party co-founded in 1973.

He believed this is because MCA leaders have been outspoken in criticising the performance of the unity government, and attacking parties within the federal administration.

“They are desperate to split BN. They see that MCA has become outspoken while their performance (as the government) is getting worse,” he said.

Earlier, Malaysiakini quoted an MCA source as saying the top leadership is under pressure from the grassroots to leave BN.

He also said this pressure mounted further after BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the coalition will ally with Pakatan Harapan in the 16th general election.

The source, reportedly a top party leader, said the grassroots were unhappy that MCA has been sidelined in the government. However, he said, the party’s central committee has yet to decide on the matter.

BN currently comprises Umno, MCA, MIC and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS). It won 30 parliamentary seats during the November 2022 general election.

In October last year, MCA president Wee Ka Siong said the party was prepared to chart its own path if any party in BN decides to officially form new ties and abandon its current allies in the coalition.

Gerakan, a former BN component, had expressed willingness to work with MCA once more two months ago, but MCA Youth information chief Neow Choo Seong said his party remained loyal to BN.