Tough to get MCA supporters to back DAP, says division leader

 

An MCA division leader says the party should stay out of the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election as a matter of 

PETALING JAYA: An MCA division leader has warned that it will be difficult to convince party grassroots to back a candidate from their traditional rival DAP at the upcoming by-election in Kuala Kubu Baharu.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source said the difficulty stemmed from the years of animosity that had accumulated from DAP’s demonising of the Barisan Nasional (BN) component.

The source also cited an incident earlier this month where DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook had said that he liked BN but disliked MCA.

“That was another slap to our faces,” the source told FMT.

“So as a matter of principle, we should stay out.”

The division leader also said that MCA would lose more respect among its supporters if it chose to help DAP after the latest jibe by Loke.

“And it could haunt us at the next polls. Why would anyone back a party with no principles or pride?”

On April 19, MCA said it would sit out the May 11 by-election if the unity coalition did not field a candidate from BN.

Pakatan Harapan’s Selangor chapter previously said that a candidate would be chosen from DAP.

Last night, BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who played down his component’s statement as a “temporary stand”, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim would meet leaders from MCA to discuss its position.

Asked if MCA’s reluctance to campaign for the by-election would be perceived as a lack of team spirit by the party, the source said it was a non-issue.

“Right now, the grassroots get the notion that we are not needed in the unity government. So we don’t care what they think of us.” - FMT