MCA has no power over Umno, says PH

PH secretary-general Saifuddin Abdullah says MCA can't even guarantee recognition of the UEC in BN's manifesto.

Saifuddin Abdullah says MCA has become more insignificant since its poor performance in the last two general elections.

PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan (PH) has questioned MCA’s ability to ensure that Malaysia remains moderate and inclusive, saying the party no longer wields as much influence as it did in the past.

Speaking to FMT, PH secretary-general Saifuddin Abdullah said neither MCA nor MIC were equal partners with Umno anymore, as was the case when the Alliance was first formed.

The Alliance was a political coalition whose membership comprised Umno, MCA and MIC. It was formally registered as a political organisation on October 30, 1957, and was the ruling coalition until it became Barisan Nasional (BN) in 1973.

“MCA is no longer the MCA we used to know,” Saifuddin said.

“Since the formation of BN, the influence of both parties have been reduced, and since the poor performance in the last two general elections, they are becoming insignificant.”

By comparison, he said, even Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) enjoyed more influence in BN.

“So no, MCA will not be able to influence Umno if Umno indeed wants to implement more hardline policies.”

At the launch of MCA’s election manifesto on Sunday, party president Liow Tiong Lai had said MCA would ensure that BN continues to implement moderate and inclusive policies for all Malaysians.

“If MCA is not in the government, then the voice of non-Muslims will not be heard. What I am saying is: if the government consists only of people from a single race, the country will face extremism,” he said.

However, Saifuddin gave the example of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), saying MCA could not even guarantee its recognition in the BN manifesto.

“It is there, but not like in our manifesto where we guarantee the recognition.”

Saifuddin added that with the recent redelineation, MCA’s influence would decline even further.

“The recent redelineation sees the emergence of more Malay-dominant seats. MCA will suffer more.”

BN has reportedly included recognition of the UEC in its manifesto, but on condition that holders of the certificate obtain a credit in Bahasa Malaysia and a pass in history in the SPM examination. - FMT