Umno's 'strength' made MCA stay in BN - Nazri

Padang Rengas MP Nazri Aziz today said MCA chose to remain in BN because the party is confident in Umno's strength.

"If they are not confident (with Umno), they wouldn't still be with BN. Look at the last general election.

"I remember they (MCA) decided to stick together (in BN) because Umno is strong," the former minister told reporters in Parliament today.

He was responding to MCA president Wee Ka Siong's announcement yesterday that the party's central committee has decided it will remain in BN to maintain the multiracial cooperation.

Wee acknowledged the decision may be perceived as "politically incorrect" and detrimental to the party's popularity, but it had to be made to create a more democratic, benign, diverse and moderate political environment.

According to Nazri, Umno is the strongest BN component party in terms of its MPs.

He also opined that the cooperation between Umno and PAS is the only way to chart BN's victory in the 15th general election.

'Umno-PAS ties getting stronger'

"I believe that the Umno-PAS ties are getting stronger, as evident in Cameron Highlands and Semenyih (by-elections).

"We (Umno) will ensure the ties will last until GE15," Nazri said.

MCA's announcement came just two weeks after MCA and MIC said in a statement that they were "moving on" from BN to explore new alliances.

The two parties had accused Umno of violating consensus in the coalition, including on the appointment of Nazri as its secretary-general.

Acting Umno president Mohamad Hasan subsequently convened a BN supreme council meeting – which had not been in session since the coalition's defeat in the last general election.

Nazri was asked not to attend the meeting after MCA and MIC threatened a boycott if he showed up.

Meanwhile, Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob said MCA decided to stay in BN because it felt the Umno-PAS cooperation posed no threat to the Chinese-based party.

"Although PAS and Umno work together, they (MCA) feel this will not be going to threaten anything, but (a move that) will strenghten unity among the races," he said.

"MCA sees a need in defending racial harmony," he said.

"It is more important for us to look forward and work together to ensure the harmony of the people," he added.

While acknowledged MCA only won one parliamentary seat in GE14, he said, BN parties should help the Chinese party to rise again.

"I am sure they have a strategy and plan to make a comeback, but as an ally, we will help MCA." he said. - Mkini