YONG PENG: MCA is ready to face the 16th General Election (GE16) and does not discount the possibility that it could be held soon, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The MCA president said the current administration is two months shy of the four-year mark, adding that it is rare for an administration to serve a full term of five years.
“Looking at the past 15 GEs, it only happened once where the government served its full term.
“Most of them served a term of about four months or three years and eight months, or three years and 11 months.
“I believe it (GE16) will happen soon before the end of the term – if not this year, it will be next year,” he said at a press conference here after simultaneously opening all MCA state conventions nationwide through a live broadcast yesterday.
He said the important thing is for the party to remain ready and be in “fifth gear” to face the national polls.
Dr Wee was asked to comment on Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s call at the Umno general assembly on Sept 11 for GE16 to be held as soon as possible.
He was also asked about Kluang Umno’s call for MCA to return the Kluang parliamentary seat to Umno for GE16 as a strategy to wrest the seat from DAP.
“The swapping of seats is normal in politics. The grassroots can voice their views and make suggestions, but the ultimate decision lies with the presidents and leadership of the parties.
“There is a way to do it, and Barisan Nasional’s style is to hold discussions among ourselves,” Dr Wee added.
The current 15th Parliament will reach its full term on Dec 18 next year.
