Barisan Nasional secretary-general Zambry Abd Kadir is confident that MCA and MIC would not be easily lured by PAS to back the opposition at the 16th general election.
Zambry said the two parties, which are part of BN, are not “newbies” in the political arena.
“I believe they know them (Perikatan Nasional components Bersatu, PAS and Gerakan) too well in terms of their tactics,” he said in a statement today.
He said BN, co-founded by Umno, MCA and MIC, have always upheld two principles – mutual understanding among the races, and moderation.
Zambry said PN is attempting to leverage on the unhappiness of MCA and MIC leaders towards BN and the unity government.
“BN has always been prudent and would consult one another to overcome issues. Such an understanding will persist despite the current challenges,” he said.
Yesterday, BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man’s attempts to woo MCA and MIC to the opposition bloc may not necessarily be in the parties’ best interest.
On Sunday, Tuan Ibrahim invited MCA and MIC to join PN, after several MIC and MCA state chapters pushed their parties to leave the coalition because of discontent over the lack of government positions.
Zahid, who is also the Umno president, said MCA and MIC’s top leaders had not discussed leaving BN with him or tabled the matter for discussion at the BN Supreme Council meeting.
MCA president Wee Ka Siong told The Straits Times of Singapore in June that 191 MCA division assemblies would “talk about the future and direction of the party” and bring their proposals to their annual general meeting in October.
MIC recently said it was prepared to engage in discussions with any political party to ensure its survival and better serve the Indian community.
