PUTRAJAYA: A former minister from MCA said the party should quit Barisan Nasional in order to “rehabilitate” itself after its worst defeat in the May 9 general election.
Dr Ng Yen Yen, who was the tourism minister from 2009 to 2013, said there is no pressure on MCA to make such a decision.
“This is my personal view. A new MCA (without BN) should move forward to meet new challenges, without being burdened by anything,” she told reporters after attending the Merdeka Day celebration today.
Ng was the Chinese party’s vice-president from 2008 to 2013. Prior to that, she was the Wanita MCA chief.
She did not contest in the 2013 general election for the Raub parliamentary seat.
Ng also said MCA should let more “new blood” lead the party.
“I don’t mean that newly-joined members should be leading. Those who have not had the chance to lead previously should be given the opportunity to do so,” she said.
When asked why she attended the Pakatan Harapan-organised Merdeka celebration, Ng said she came in her own personal capacity.
“I have confidence in Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s leadership and the Cabinet members seem sincere in improving our country,” she said.
After BN lost the federal government, several component parties, including Gerakan, MyPPP, and Sarawakian parties like Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Parti Demokratik Progresif (PDP) left the coalition.
MCA only won one parliamentary seat, Ayer Hitam, and two state seats, namely Titi Tinggi in Perlis and Cheka in Pahang, during the general election.
Analysts had previously said MCA should consider leaving BN in order to reform the party.
Former MCA vice-president Gan Ping Sieu, who has announced his intention to go for the party president’s post, had said leaving BN should be treated as an option.
Party president Liow Tiong Lai had insisted MCA will not leave BN.
Despite staying a coalition member, MCA has decided to drop the BN’s trademark “dacing” logo to contest in Balakong state seat by-election on Sept 8. -FMT
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