Zahid: BN knows how to woo Chinese voters even if MCA leaves

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi seemed unfazed over reports that MCA is leaving the opposition coalition.

“We have not received their official position on the matter. But if they do exit, we have other ways to woo Chinese voters,” he told reporters after meeting BN senators this evening.

The Umno president added that while BN respects MCA’s decision, the coalition would have to come up with plans to attract the Chinese community.

“Not all of them are supporting the party that is part of the current government,” he said, possibly referring to DAP, which is MCA’s traditional political rival.

Yesterday, MCA deputy president Dr Mah Hang Soon said the Chinese community felt that MCA should leave BN even as a founding partner of the coalition, MCA had stood together through “thick and thin” with Umno and MIC since independence.

Earlier today, the party’s president Wee Ka Siong urged delegates to think “rationally and carefully” before making a decision.

‘Sarawakians will reject PPBM’

On a separate note, Zahid also downplayed the launch of Sarawak PPBM last night, saying the locals would reject the party.

“The reality is they want a political party that looks out for Sarawak’s interests.”

Last night, at the launch of PPBM Sarawak in Bintulu, the party’s chairman, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, said its decision to enter Sarawak was based on the request of the Pribumi (Bumiputera) community in the state.

Mahathir, who is also the prime minister, said they felt only the party could protect their rights and understand their concerns about their livelihood.

“At the onset, we did not intend to go to Sarawak, but it (was based on) the request and insistence of the Sarawakians themselves,” he was quoted as saying. -FMT