‘MCA and MIC were not consulted’

Caught unawares: Chong and Rajasekaran clearing the air.

KUALA LUMPUR: Two component parties of Barisan National are questioning the remarks made by coalition chief Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi regarding cooperation with Pakatan Harapan in the next general election.

The secretaries-general of MCA and MIC maintained that Barisan component parties were not consulted over Ahmad Zahid’s statement that Barisan would work with Pakatan.

Another point being disputed is Ahmad Zahid’s announcement that Barisan would not throw in its hat in areas where Pakatan partners are contesting.

MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon said the announcement came as a surprise for many in Barisan, as the matter was never brought up.

“I have checked with my party president, who attended the recent Barisan supreme council meeting.

“It was confirmed that the decision about Barisan not contesting in areas Pakatan is contesting was not raised during the meeting,” he said after MIC secretary-general Datuk RT Rajasekaran paid a visit to him at Wisma MCA yesterday.

Rajasekaran was there to discuss with Chong about greater cooperation between both parties.

On June 30, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Umno president, said Barisan would continue to work with Pakatan in the run-up to the 16th General Election.

He told a press conference after opening a Maran Umno division meeting in Pahang that both Barisan and Pakatan would contest using their own logos in GE16, and that Barisan would not go into areas where Pakatan is contesting.

Chong said yesterday that he had been consistently raising matters about Barisan’s way forward for the upcoming general election during Barisan secretaries-general meetings.

“My party president has also made it clear that Barisan and Pakatan’s working relationship is only until the end of the current parliament term, after which we will decide on the next step.

“Barisan has not thoroughly discussed its strategies or how we will work with Pakatan for the next election,” he said.

To a question, Chong said MCA was “shocked” at how the matter was announced.

“We were not aware of what happened and how it came about or whether it was a question posed (to Ahmad Zahid).

Chong said that the proper way would be to call for a Barisan meeting or set up a special committee to discuss seat allocations and candidacy, as “it is time” to have these discussions, given it has already been two years since the last election.

“We will wait for the Barisan chairman to call for a meeting. We hope this issue will be the main topic for discussion.

“It is important to sort out how we will cooperate, as Barisan includes not just Umno, but also MCA, MIC and PBRS in Sabah.”

He said that a big decision such as this should not be decided by one party.

Rajasekaran said he was at the Barisan supreme council meeting on June 21 in Kuala Lumpur.

“I attended all the supreme council meetings and the matter was not brought up at all,” he said.

He said among the matters raised during the meeting were the coalition’s annual general meeting and the Sungai Bakap by-election.

Those who attended the meeting included top leaders from all Barisan component parties, he said.

“Barisan would ultimately need to raise these matters for a discussion, where the appropriate avenue appears to be through the supreme council,” he added.

He also said that MIC would next discuss with party members about the best path forward.

To a question, Rajasekaran said his meeting with MCA was to discuss the state of the country and explore ways for both parties to work together.

“We are also looking at appointing coordinators in seats we are interested in and how to cooperate. We will have more meetings in future to see how we can strengthen our ties.

“MIC and MCA have been in Barisan for a very long time. We are heading to our 50th anniversary this year. It’s time to look at our history and see how we can proceed from here for a better future,” he said.