Standing united: Dr Wee (second from left) together with (from left) Saravanan, Arthur and Mah attending the general assembly in Kuala Lumpur.
KUALA LUMPUR: MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has shut down talk of the party leaving Barisan Nasional.
“This matter does not exist. We are a founding party of Barisan, which was formed in the spirit of the Alliance party.
“We formed this coalition together,” he said on the sidelines of the Umno annual general assembly here yesterday.
Dr Wee said MCA is looking forward to steps taken by Umno to strengthen internally, noting that these moves can lead to a stronger Barisan collectively.
“We are ready to see what these measures are. This is the Barisan home which provides shelter for all.
“We hope all this will bear fruit,” he added.
Dr Wee said the views of Barisan’s component parties must also be taken into account when charting the way forward.
“Barisan is a big coalition and political realities must be considered amid its multiracial makeup.
“However, there are issues that we all agree on in unison, such as matters pertaining to the Urban Renewal Act. Here, we can all stand together,” he said.
He said MCA will also work hard ahead of the 16th General Election, adding that: “I’m not saying it is around the corner but we have to prepare ourselves.”
Dr Wee was among Barisan component party leaders present for the Umno assembly.
Also present was MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan and PBRS president Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup.
