MCA president Wee Ka Siong pushed back at growing calls for the party to decide whether it will remain in Barisan Nasional, insisting that its future will be made by MCA alone.
“As president of MCA, when the time comes for me to make a decision, I will make a decision. I will have maximum consultation with my people,” he told a press conference at Wisma MCA today.
“It’s not for other people to tell us to join or to leave. This is not their party. Mind your own business. This is my party. We know better.”
Wee was responding to a question on whether MCA would quit BN following mounting suggestions from both political rivals and its own grassroots that the party should leave the coalition amid its waning influence in the unity government.
Some division chiefs and grassroots leaders have argued that MCA is being sidelined and needs to rebuild itself independently.
Wee had previously told The Straits Times in June that 191 MCA division assemblies will “talk about the future and direction of the party” and bring their proposals to their annual general meeting in October.
MIC, a fellow BN component in a similar position, recently said it is prepared to engage in discussions with any political party to ensure its survival and better serve the Indian community.
However, analysts have cautioned both MCA and MIC against leaving BN because of its current diminished political standing.
BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the coalition partners should not threaten to quit the coalition, especially when it is on the mend.
