Mind your own business, MCA tells DAP over BN seat spat

 MCA duo say DAP has its own problems to worry about, amid the party's opposition towards a PH pact with former component Bersatu.

MCA secretary-general Chong Sin Woon (left) and deputy youth chief Mike Chong said BN has its own ways and mechanisms to resolve the dispute over the Melaka election seat allocation.

PETALING JAYA:

Two MCA leaders have told DAP not to interfere in Barisan Nasional’s efforts to resolve a dispute over seat allocation for the Nov 14 Melaka election.

MCA secretary-general Chong Sin Woon said BN had its ways to resolve the matter, while MCA Youth deputy chief Mike Chong said the party does not need DAP to help determine its political direction.

Sin Woon said DAP should focus on resolving internal issues within Pakatan Harapan, particularly opposition towards a possible pact with Bersatu in Melaka.

“DAP should not stir trouble in this matter. Instead, it should focus on its internal issues, particularly the war of words among PH leaders.

“DAP leaders in Melaka have firmly said there would be no cooperation with Bersatu, but what is happening now is embarrassing for them,” he told FMT.

Yesterday, PH announced only 21 candidates for the Melaka polls, even though 28 seats are up for grabs, further fuelling speculation of an alliance with Bersatu, a former component partner.

BN has announced a similar arrangement, with the Umno-led coalition contesting 21 seats while allocating seven for Perikatan Nasional.

MCA leaders protested against the BN announcement by staging a walkout at the event last night for not being consulted on the seats allocated to PN.

This drew taunts from two DAP leaders who challenged MCA to leave BN or contest the Melaka election under its own logo, including against PN.

Mike also touched on the speculation of a PH pact with Bersatu, which played a central role in the collapse of the PH-led federal government in 2020.

He asked whether DAP would be prepared to leave PH and contest under its own logo if a political cooperation with Bersatu materialises.

“DAP is busy challenging MCA to leave BN or contest under its own logo. But would DAP take similar action if PH made way for other parties, including Bersatu, which its leaders had previously opposed?

“Do not be so eager to comment on the internal affairs of others when your own internal disagreements remain unresolved,” he said.

Mike maintained that the MCA leadership sent a strong message by staging the walkout, but said differences in BN would be resolved through internal mechanisms and in the spirit of unity.

He nonetheless warned Umno that BN’s spirit of cooperation would be undermined if decisions involving component parties were made without mutual agreement.

“MCA has its own political principles and convictions. The spirit of BN that has been built over the years will be tarnished if this matter is allowed to go unaddressed,” he said. - FMT