Zahid’s claim MCA, MIC not sidelined ‘mere window dressing’, says source
The source says since the formation of the unity government DAP has taken over as the voice of the non-Malays.
(FMT) – Several MIC and MCA leaders have cast doubt on Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s insistence that their parties have not been marginalised, with one MCA leader calling the Barisan Nasional chairman’s claim “mere window dressing”.
“The truth is MCA and MIC are being sidelined,” the source told FMT, citing as proof the non-inclusion of the parties’ representatives on local councils.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source said DAP has taken over as the voice of the non-Malays in government, a role previously played by MCA and MIC.
“And DAP and Umno are comfortable with that arrangement,” the source added.
Both parties stand to benefit from being part of the unity government, the source said, with Umno able to remain in power and DAP gaining access to Malay voters through its ties with the nationalist party.
“MCA and MIC have been shoved to the periphery. We’ve been handed a raw deal and we cannot just stand back and do nothing.”
On Sunday, Zahid denied suggestions that component parties and Friends of BN have been marginalised.
He said MCA president Wee Ka Siong was given the honour of opening the Sabah BN convention held in Sandakan earlier that day. The Umno president also insisted that seats at all general and by-elections have been fairly allocated over the years.
Zahid said Cabinet appointments were out of his purview as they fall under the prime minister. However, due consideration has been given to both parties in that regard.
“If not in Cabinet, perhaps other positions could be considered for those who are experienced,” he said.
On Saturday, BN secretary-general Zambry Abdul Kadir dismissed a report which claimed MCA’s top leadership was under pressure from its grassroots to leave BN, adding that the claim was fabricated and baseless.
Broken promises on ministerial, GLC posts
Meanwhile, a senior MIC leader told FMT Zahid’s claim “could not be farther from the truth”. The party’s grassroots are angry over its treatment.
The source said MIC was treated much better when BN and Perikatan Nasional were in government, adding that both MCA and MIC were given a ministerial post each.
“Who says we are not being marginalised? When BN became part of the unity government, MCA and MIC were not given posts anywhere – not even a deputy minister’s post,” the source said.
The source said when forming the unity government following the general election in 2022, Zahid had promised MIC and MCA a Cabinet position each.
“MIC and MCA MPs withdrew their support for Muhyiddin Yassin and PN to enable BN to support Anwar en bloc. But we did not get anything in return.”
Thereafter, more than 100 government-linked company positions were handed out to representatives from the unity government, the source added, but MIC was “completely ignored”.
The source said there is much pressure from the party grassroots to join PN as the members feel shortchanged by Anwar. The general feeling is that the party would be better off in PN with Muhyiddin leading the coalition, the source added.
“Look at the Indians in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu. We think they are happy as PAS is treating them well. There were fears initially, but I think PN will treat us better,” the source said.
