KUALA LUMPUR: MCA must stop banking on Barisan Nasional allies to deliver Bumiputera votes and rebuild its support on its own strength, says party president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
Dr Wee said the Sabah polls made it clear that depending on coalition partners to sway Bumiputera voters was no longer workable.
“The Sabah election results have sent a clear message: we can no longer rely on Barisan Nasional allies to secure Bumiputera votes for MCA.
"This is not only a waste of resources but ultimately futile, because most Bumiputera voters no longer pledge loyalty to any particular party,” he said in his address at the MCA 30th Central Delegates 3rd General Assembly on Sunday (Dec 7).
He pointed out that earning the rakyat's trust was a major challenge. But no matter how difficult the road ahead may be, MCA’s future can only, and must only, be carved out by MCA's efforts.
"If every party within our political coalition commits fully to grassroots outreach, we can collectively regain the confidence and support of the people,” he added.
Dr Wee said the party must also recognise that Sabah’s political and social landscape differs significantly from that of Peninsular Malaysia. Chinese voters make up only about 8% of the electorate, while Muslim Bumiputera and non-Muslim Bumiputera groups form the dominant majority.
“Yet MCA’s engagement with these communities has been almost non-existent. If this does not change, no matter how many times we contest, we will never break the zero-win barrier,” he said, adding that MCA must step out of its comfort zone and enter the community circles of different ethnic groups.
He noted that rising localist sentiments and anti–Peninsular Malaysia rhetoric in the state meant Sabah MCA had to strengthen its local identity and speak up more firmly on issues concerning Sabah’s rights.
