A former MCA leader has accused party president Wee Ka Siong of being haughty in his response to questions over its future in Barisan Nasional after he told “outsiders” to stay out of its affairs.
Ti Lian Ker said such a display of arrogance would scuttle efforts to win over fence sitters as it is these outsiders who will judge MCA, based on the optics created.
He said while Wee was correct to state that MCA, and not outsiders, would decide on its future, “outsiders” – who also included voters – would be the ones who would determine if the party would still be relevant at the next general election.
Ti claimed many MCA members were waiting for the party to respond to how it had been treated ever since Umno, the BN lynchpin, decided to cosy up to DAP after the formation of the unity government.
And the recent visit by MPs from DAP to the Umno headquarters was yet another slap in MCA’s face.
“By choosing not to act, react or respond to political insults, one after another and framing it as a political strategy, gives the outsiders the impression that MCA is a cowardly party,” he said in a Facebook post.
Ti went on to say that MIC president SA Vigneswaran had already spoken out, referring to his statement that the Indian-based party was open to discussions with other parties to ensure its survival.
“On the other hand, Wee’s silence is deafening.”
In June, Wee said the party would not rush to decide on its future in the unity government, adding that any such decision would only be made during its general assembly.
Yesterday, Wee pushed back at growing calls for the party to decide whether it would remain in BN, insisting that its future would be made by MCA alone.
He said as the party president, he would make a decision “when the time comes” and after consulting members.
“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,” he was reported as saying.
However, Ti said telling outsiders to mind their business would come off as being arrogant.
“And such a perception is not going to do MCA any good or win over the fence sitters.
“Neither can MCA’s awkward silence reclaim the support of members who have been abandoning the party in the last few general elections.”
To win back MCA members and to regain the support of voters in the next election, MCA must directly address the political issues faced, Ti said.
He said ignoring the matter at hand would risk pushing MCA further into irrelevance.
