Sea of blue: Delegates attending Barisan Nasional’s 48th anniversary and convention at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.
KUALA LUMPUR: To prevail in the looming 15th General Election, it is important for Barisan Nasional to maintain its principles of prioritising the people, moderation and multiculturalism.
This was the message sent by leaders of Barisan component parties MCA, PBRS and MIC, in their speeches at the coalition’s 48th anniversary and convention at the World Trade Centre here yesterday.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to take into account the views of other component parties when calling the election.
“I’m appealing to the Prime Minister to discuss this with component parties.
“Not just Umno should win, but MCA, MIC and PBRS should win together for Barisan.
“We want to administer the country after the 15th General Election (GE15),” he said.
Dr Wee added that the Melaka and Johor state elections had shown an increase of support towards Barisan, but he also urged leaders and party members not to become too complacent.
“Leading up to GE15, we must remain hardworking, always humble, and not too complacent with the recent victories.
“Barisan’s formula is avoiding racial sentiments, slander, and the politics of hate. In Barisan, we praise the politics of moderation,” he said.
In both the Johor and Melaka state elections, Barisan secured a two-thirds majority.
The MCA president said Barisan’s defeat in GE14 in May 2018 should be a lesson to all.
“Because the power is with the people and it is they who decide who becomes a leader,” added Dr Wee.
At a press conference after the event, Dr Wee said nearly 1,000 MCA division leaders had been briefed on preparations for GE15.
Dr Wee said MCA’s election machinery was ready for the election, as it had been tested in the Melaka state election last November and the Johor state election in March.
“So, we have the template for them to emulate, based on the SOP (standard operating procedures) we developed.
“We are a political party, so we have to face any (eventuality based on the) decision by the PM,” he added.
MIC president Tan Sri SA Vigneswaran, in his speech, said the Barisan convention was an important event as it reflected unity within the coalition in taking on the general election.
He also said Barisan had become a different party since it lost the federal government in May 2018, adding that “we learnt many lessons”.
To convince voters, Vigneswaran said Barisan component parties must not contradict each other in their remarks.
“We cannot send conflicting signals as it is very uncomfortable to our voters and members,” he added.
PBRS president Tan Sri Joseph Kurup said unity was important as any cracks would be detrimental to the coalition.
“When there is unity, Barisan members will achieve victory. But if we are split, then we will lose,” he added.
Joseph pledged PBRS’ “unwavering loyalty” to Barisan, saying that the Sabah-based party will remain with the coalition in the coming years.
“Through rain or shine, PBRS will remain with Barisan. This is our loyalty to Barisan,” he added.
