IPOH: Certain Barisan Nasional leaders should not "bersandiwara" (play-acting) in front of other coalition party members and then later backstab them, says Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon.
The MCA deputy president said such an act could jeopardise ties between component parties and also cause Barisan to lose in elections.
"Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi once clearly said that (Umno) as the 'elder brother', he will always look after the welfare of the 'younger brothers' (component parties)," he said in his speech during the state Barisan convention here on Sunday (Nov 24).
"Helping, supporting and working together is our work culture. Respect and decision-making through consensus are our practices.
"Differences in political views are the norms everywhere.
"The important thing is that the elder brother should not criticise (herdik) the younger brother, and the younger brother should respect the elder brother. The spirit of friendship is our lifeline forever," he added.
Dr Mah, who is also state MCA chairman, said Barisan's strength is its loyalty to one another and the spirit of togetherness.
"There will be differences in opinions, but we can discuss to find a good solution," he said.
"We (MCA) cannot predict what will happen during and after the 16th General Election but we will be loyal to Barisan and we will work until we win in the elections," he added.
He also called on party members to remain strong as there were enemies all around them.
"They always use dirty tactics and tricks to discredit us.
"We need to always be vigilant and remind voters to not be fooled by the propaganda of certain political party," he said.
"There is a political party, when they were in the Opposition, their leaders criticised and ridiculed us for all the policies that the government implemented, but when they became the government, they legalised all the things that were the subject of their criticisms and ridicule.
"There are also political parties that constantly use religion and extreme racial rhetoric as weapons as if religion is their absolute right.
"We must be smart in retaliating and wisely opposing their dirty political games," he added.
Present at the convention were Dr Ahmad Zahid, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and state MIC chairman Tan Sri M. Ramasamy.
Also present were representatives of Pakatan Harapan, including state Amanah chairman Datuk Asmuni Awi, state DAP treasurer and Ipoh Timur MP Howard Lee and state PKR chairman Mohamad Hairul Amir Sabri.
