YONG PENG: MCA will not close its doors on former Bersatu affiliate wing members who have exited the party following its ongoing internal crisis, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The MCA president said his party would not, however, reach out to “pull them in” but maintains that it is ready to work with the ex-Bersatu members for a common struggle.
“Actually, many of the (ex-Bersatu associate wing) members are former MCA members.
“In any party, there will be those with differing views. As long as we can work together and strive for the well-being of the rakyat, I have no objection,” the Ayer Hitam MP told reporters at a Chinese New Year open house event for his constituents in Taman Kota here on Saturday (Feb 21) night.
The event was jointly held with Johor health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon, who is also the Yong Peng assemblyman.
Earlier on Saturday, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said those exiting Bersatu amid the party's recent internal crisis are welcome to join Umno.
Mohamed Khaled, who is also chairman of Rumah Bangsa, a platform to reunite those who had left the party, said he hoped Malay parties could come back under one platform.
On Feb 13, Bersatu sacked 17 members, including several supreme council members and its deputy president, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
This led to the resignation of several party division leaders, including 11 in Johor as well as the Johor Bersatu associate wing chief.
Meanwhile, Dr Wee said discussions on seat allocation have not been held yet despite speculation that the upcoming Johor state election is drawing near.
He said the state government would be entering its fourth year of the current term next month.
“The necessary preparations have been made and I am confident of Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi’s leadership and the hardworking attitude of the state excos.
“We have not discussed seats yet, but we know what needs to be done and our preparations began immediately after the 2022 state election," he said.
