PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional cannot allow the seat allocation issue for the Melaka polls erode trust among component parties, say analysts.
While keeping the door open for talks with MCA was a positive first step, they say the coalition must offer tangible concessions to resolve the row before nomination day on Oct 31.
Universiti Sains Malaysia political analyst Prof Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said MCA’s walkout reflects a deeper concern about its standing within the coalition, not merely the number of seats allocated.
“At this stage, Barisan cannot afford to win the seat-allocation argument but lose the trust of its own component parties,” he said.
Sivamurugan also pointed out that Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi acted wisely by leaving room for further negotiations.
MCA leaders had walked out of Barisan’s candidate announcement on Saturday after the party was allocated two of the coalition’s 21 seats, down from the seven it contested in 2021.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said the party would assess negotiations over the next few days before deciding whether to contest.
Lawyer and political commentator Ang Woei Shang claimed that Melaka Umno had treated MCA, its longtime ally since the Alliance era, unfairly by surrendering seats the party had previously contested to Perikatan Nasional without proper consultation.
He said MCA is undergoing a gradual political recovery, winning eight seats in Johor and wresting two from DAP in Negri Sembilan, including Chennah, where DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke was defeated.
“From an electoral perspective, such a decision makes little political sense. Why undermine the recovery of your longstanding ally when doing so could ultimately benefit your political opponents?” he asked.
Ang said MCA’s electoral performance gives it a factual basis to argue that its contribution should not be measured solely by the two seats it holds in Melaka, although its bargaining power should not be overstated.
On its part, Umno must publicly demonstrate a willingness to engage MCA in meaningful negotiations, he added.
“To his credit, Ahmad Zahid has already taken an initial step in this direction by expressing willingness to continue negotiations.
“However, there must also be tangible concessions that MCA can present to its members and supporters as a meaningful outcome of those negotiations.”
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman political analyst Dr Liew Wui Chern said a compromise need not involve returning all seven seats MCA contested in 2021.
“Barisan probably needs two things: genuine consultation with MCA and some political concession, whether in seats, candidate placement or future allocation.”
Liew said MCA would also need to recognise that Barisan’s cooperation with PAS could alter the traditional formula for seat distribution.
However, MCA and MIC would question the value of their membership if seats traditionally contested by them were given to new partners without proper consultation, he said.
“Seat negotiations cannot simply be conducted between the strongest actors, Umno and PAS, and then presented to the smaller parties as a done deal,” he said.
International Islamic University Malaysia assistant professor Lau Zhe Wei said continued Barisan-MCA negotiations are crucial to resolving differences over seat allocation and maintaining cooperation.
He said MCA should continue voicing its concerns while keeping the door open for talks, enabling it to pursue its interests without undermining the coalition’s working relationship.
“Unless MCA takes very drastic action, I think this dispute will eventually return to the way things were before,” he said.
While Umno is unlikely to give up its seats, Lau said MCA could seek a greater say in appointments and local leadership positions, such as village heads.
