Dr Wee: Look closely at nature of potential partners when seeking cooperation
YONG PENG: Cooperation between political parties is increasingly necessary, given that no single party or coalition could easily govern on its own in the current political landscape, says MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
“Seeking cooperation when facing elections has become an unavoidable political reality,” he said in his opening speech while simultaneously opening all MCA state conventions nationwide through a live broadcast here yesterday.
However, Dr Wee emphasised that such cooperation must have clear boundaries to protect MCA and Barisan Nasional.
Such political cooperation does not mean compromise without limits and as far as MCA goes, there are three things to consider, he said.
The first is that parties must have basic common ground on governance and political direction, particularly on major policies, he said.
“Without common principles and consensus, no cooperation can last,” Dr Wee said, adding that while it is normal to have differences on certain issues, partners must share common ground on major matters.
Secondly, he said, cooperation must take into account MCA’s survival and the interests of Barisan, while all parties involved must show sincerity.
On this, Dr Wee urged Umno to carefully assess its potential partners, saying its decisions would affect Barisan as a whole.
He said some parties were willing to accommodate Umno when seeking its support, but became aggressive towards MCA and left little room for negotiation.
“Look clearly at the true nature of these parties,” he said, warning that some parties could turn hostile when their demands are rejected.
“If we have no space to survive, why should we cooperate with them?” he asked.
The third principle is that MCA itself must have the strength to back its demands at the negotiating table.
“Strength is the only useful bargaining chip in politics,” he said, adding that this means all levels of MCA must be prepared for elections, instead of relying on the party headquarters for campaigning.
He pointed to the recent Johor and Negri Sembilan state polls as examples of what can be achieved when the party moves in sync.
In Johor, MCA went from having zero state seats in 2018 to winning four in 2022 and eight this year, while the party also returned to the Negri Sembilan state assembly after a 13-year absence by winning two seats.
But he cautioned members against becoming complacent, saying upcoming challenges appear tougher with the possibility of the general election, Melaka state election and other state polls taking place around the same period.
“If the elections are held simultaneously, headquarters staff cannot split themselves to every state,” he said, asking state leaders and division chairmen whether they are ready to fight on their own.
On this, he said each state must develop its own strategy and build election teams capable of operating without external help.
He also stressed that MCA’s candidates must be selected based on their ability to win, rather than their party positions.
“Party positions are not a ticket to becoming a candidate,” he said, adding that candidates have to make the difference through hard work and the ability to solve voters’ problems.
“People vote for you because you can get things done, not because you are a division chairman.”
He also said MCA must strengthen its organisation, remain humble and listen to voters.
“We must have confidence to win, but that confidence is best kept among ourselves and in our operations rooms. We do not need to beat the drums and announce it to the whole world,” he said.
“Let’s maintain a low profile in conduct and a high profile in work.”
