MCA's position in Barisan will be decided at its AGM, says Dr Wee

KUALA LUMPUR:  Whether MCA remains in Barisan Nasional or leave the coalition will be decided by its central delegates during the party annual general assembly on Dec 2, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.  

“I will let the central delegates discuss what is the way forward for our party. Now we are no longer the government, I can disagree with their (Barisan) views.  

“Please don’t get me wrong because those days when we were the government, we must uphold the same decision after discussion,” said the MCA president. 

Now that MCA is the Opposition, Dr Wee said the party is free to say whatever it desires.  

“So, I’m very clear about this. I don’t care what he (Dr Ahmad Zahid) says. The most important (factor) is the Barisan spirit, which is about togetherness between the three races from day one.  

“If you or anybody betray this, then what is the point?” he asked.  

Dr Wee took Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi  to task for the latter’s recent proposal for Umno to merge with PAS, saying the Umno president has disregarded the feelings of Barisan component party members.  

“Of course, you can always say you are doing it in an independent capacity and you can do whatever you like. But, at the same time, you are in Barisan right? Do consider the feelings of other parties as well.  

“That is why I am very sad to see (Datuk Seri) Abdul Hadi Awang’s response. For me, that makes Dr Ahmad Zahid (look like) a laughing stock,” Dr Wee told reporters when met at the Parliament lobby on Monday (Nov 19).  

On Sunday (Nov 18), Dr Ahmad Zahid called for a merger between Umno and PAS during a gathering between the two parties against the ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).  

However, Abdul Hadi, who was present at the event, appeared to disregard Dr Ahmad Zahid’s overture.  

Dr Wee reiterated that Dr Ahmad Zahid must uphold the Barisan’s spirit of working together with different races.  

“We have stated over and over that our political ideology is very different than PAS. Please have some respect for MCA and other Barisan components on this matter,” he said.  

MCA Youth chairman Nicole Wong said  Umno loses its dignity by seeking to cooperate with PAS.  

“Although an Umno-PAS cooperation has ‘done wonders’ in the Seri Setia by-election, that is to double PAS’ votes and lower votes for the Pakatan candidate, the by-election results are not an accurate gauge as the voter turnout was quite low and it was after all a by-election.  

“Umno should not be naive into believing that an Umno-PAS cooperation will garner more support from the masses.  

“On the contrary, voting trends from the 14th general election (showed) that voters are more mature and rational irrespective of race and religion,” she said in a statement.