MCA vice-president cum Penang state liaison committee chairman Datuk Tan Teik Cheng. ( November 29, 2024 ) — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
MCA calls for clear strategy ahead of next general election
PETALING JAYA: Despite the general election being less than three years away, Barisan Nasional has yet to make clear its collaboration with the unity government in facing the next poll, says MCA vice-president Datuk Tan Teik Cheng (pic).
“This is a question that requires leadership and clear direction, yet it continues to go unanswered,” he said.
The collaboration with the unity government or Pakatan Harapan remains unclear and requires urgent clarification, he said.
“As MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon rightly noted, MCA has given Barisan over two years since the conclusion of the 15th General Election to recalibrate and set a strategic path forward.
“To date, no decisive plan has been presented to the component parties,” Tan said in a statement yesterday.
On April 29, Chong said that Barisan had not yet put forward a clear direction although almost three years had passed since the 2022 general election.
Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was quoted last Sunday as saying that Barisan would continue to use its scales as a symbol of the coalition in the next general election.
He also said that Barisan component parties, including MCA and MIC, would continue to have opportunities to contest in the next general election.
However, Tan pointed out that Ahmad Zahid’s statement about Barisan contesting under its own banner “lacked clear direction” for the national polls.
“While he suggested that MCA would have a chance to contest in the election, it needs clarification as the MCA leadership has not had detailed discussions with other Barisan component parties about seat distribution,” he said.
As such, Tan said that in the spirit of partnership and unity within Barisan, the Barisan chairman should start a proper consultation process involving all component parties.
“Seat negotiations and electoral strategy should not be determined or announced unilaterally.
“These decisions should reflect the collective will and consensus of the Barisan coalition.
“The credibility of Barisan moving forward depends on its ability to operate with transparency, inclusiveness and a shared purpose.
“To regain the confidence of the people, we must respect coalition leadership principles, which have held us together through decades of service to the nation,” he added.
