Wee: MCA wants Barisan Nasional to be dissolved (Updated)

MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong speaking to reporters after the party's 65th annual general assembly. With him are Deputy President Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon and Secretary-General: Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun.

KUALA LUMPUR: The MCA wants Barisan Nasional to be dissolved, says party president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

He said the party's central committee has been authorised to pave the way for the dissolution of the coalition.

"The General Assembly authorises the central committee to pave the way for the dissolution of Barisan Nasional and to forge an effective alliance," Dr Wee told a press conference at the end of the party's 65th annual general assembly at Wisma MCA here Sunday (Dec 2) evening.

"MCA is grateful to the people of all ethnic groups who support us, and also cherish the spirit of power-sharing and coexistence in the early stages of the founding of  Barisan. We firmly believe that the sincere and united cooperation of all ethnic groups is the cornerstone of national development, " Dr Wee said.

However, he said Barisan had experienced a serious power tilt after a long period of ruling the country, whereby each component party needed room for self-reflection, review and reform.

"In order to revive and restart, Barisan must be disbanded with the full understanding and consensus of component parties, so that there is room for freedom in carrying out iñnovation and reconstruction," Dr Wee said.

Meanwhile, he said, re-establishing a political alliance will be at an appropriate time when there is a consensus in the concept and principle held.

Ummo, MCA and MIC formed the Alliance party and fought and gained independence for the country in 1957.

The Alliance was renamed Barisan Nasional in 1973 with the addition of other parties into the coalition.

Dr Wee said the consensus by the three founding parties - Umno, MCA and MIC-  is needed for the dissolution.

The 69-year-old MCA is the second largest Barisan component party after Umno.

The coalition, which ruled the country since independence, lost the power to Pakatan Harapan in the 14th general election on May 9.

Barisan went into GE14 with 13 component parties and is now down to four - Umno, MCA, MIC and myPPP.