KUALA LUMPUR: MCA will take part in the Melaka polls after Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi gave his assurance that the Chinese community’s representation in the next state government will not be sidelined, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The MCA president said the decision was made at the party’s presidential council meeting at Wisma MCA yesterday, held after he met Ahmad Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, at 12.30pm.
“We discussed it face to face and it was a positive development. He understood and listened to MCA’s views, and respected what we raised,” Dr Wee told a press conference.
He said MCA had been given the assurance that it would continue to have a role in the state government.
“We were given the assurance that the representation of the Chinese community and MCA will not be sidelined, and will continue in a manner that needs to be better arranged,” he said, while confirming that MCA will contest the two seats allocated to it in Melaka.
“Two seats, and through whatever method can be arranged to ensure MCA’s representation, there is a framework, and I am confident it can be implemented. What is important is that we form the government first,” he said.
MCA’s candidates must still be approved by the presidential council and sign a pledge of loyalty to the party before their names go to Barisan’s headquarters, he added.
“We will proceed with the seats that have been set,” he said, adding that MCA would focus on its two seats while helping Barisan in the other 19 seats the coalition was contesting in.
Dr Wee said Umno and MCA, as Barisan’s backbone parties, had long worked together.
“We are like siblings, and we have helped one another before.
“What happened has happened, and there is a silver lining. What we conveyed was heard by the Barisan chairman and there is follow-up action.
“The most important thing now is to ensure victory for us to form a strong and balanced government,” he said.
Dr Wee’s announcement ended days of uncertainty over MCA’s participation in the election after the party initially objected to the Barisan seat allocation.
Last Saturday, Dr Wee and senior party leaders walked out of Barisan’s candidate announcement event at the Melaka International Trade Centre, saying the allocation had been decided without the party’s agreement.
In the 2021 Melaka state election, MCA was allocated seven seats – Machap Jaya, Klebang, Ayer Keroh, Kesidang, Kota Laksamana, Bandar Hilir and Bemban, winning Machap Jaya and Klebang.
Earlier, Ahmad Zahid said there was no question of MCA pulling out of the election, adding that discussions between Barisan and MCA leaders had produced a positive outcome.
Nomination day is on Saturday, with early voting on Nov 10 and polling on Nov 14.
