PETALING JAYA: With MCA and MIC reduced to a handful of elected representatives nationwide, both parties may need to look to local councils to retain their relevance, says a political analyst.
The two Barisan Nasional component parties collectively hold three parliamentary seats following the 15th general election (GE 15) last year, and twelve state assembly seats nationwide.
MCA’s two parliamentary and seven state assembly seats, are all located in Johor, Melaka and Perak.
Meanwhile, MIC is set to lose its state seat in Jeram Padang, Negeri Sembilan, after both parties opted to sit out the Aug 12 state polls.
“This pathetic situation is going to remain until the next general election or state elections which are due some time away. Their negotiation power has been reduced to virtually nothing.
“Not getting even local council appointments would mean doomsday for many MCA and MIC divisions. If DAP and PKR do well in Selangor, Penang and Negeri Sembilan, they will become totally irrelevant,” he told FMT.
Wong said both parties will be further affected if Umno, their leading partner in BN, does badly in the upcoming elections in Selangor, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah.
“They may end up like Gerakan in PN which lost all seats it contested, and their deposits, at the last general election. So, it is irrational for MCA and MIC not to rally their grounds to vote for the unity government candidates,” he said.
Wong said, in the absence of elected representatives, local councillors can play the vital role of connecting with grassroots.
BN must push for local elections in the unity government states, he said.
“This is one of the best ways for BN to stay relevant and make a comeback in the future.
“As PH in the past had promised local elections, BN can press its unity government ally to use their states to test out the idea. They can start with city and municipal councils in a staggered manner,” he said. - FMT
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