Dr Wee: MCA remains committed to ideology of consensus, cooperation
KUALA LUMPUR: MCA is prepared to go it alone in Barisan Nasional should any other component party leave the coalition, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
“As MCA strives forward by integrating itself and working on strengthening Barisan, it will, however, not hesitate to go solo if any Barisan component party wishes to leave or join others,” said the MCA president.
Dr Wee said the party was ready to embark on this lonely road, even if it meant it had to “start all over again”.
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“When any main component party shows an intention to leave, it means it no longer views the coalition as important. Then cooperation loses its meaning.
“If any component party chooses to form new partnerships with others, then MCA should not sit still.
“We should have our own stance and continue to play our role as a political party.
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“Should that day come, we will make such a decision,” he said at a press conference after opening the party’s 70th annual general meeting at Wisma MCA here yesterday.
When asked if the component party he was referring to was Umno, he said the possibility could involve any other component party.
“Previously, we may have heard some leaders say they preferred to cooperate with someone. It’s okay.
“Since there is such an intention, MCA should also has plans for its future. We are very clear on this.”
Moving forward, Dr Wee said MCA first needs to be “internally aligned” before working on reforming and revitalising Barisan as a founding member of the coalition.
“A majority of the voters will not support any political coalition that will not be the ruling government.
“Any party that survives based on the mercy of others would not last long,” he added.
For Barisan to continue, he said the coalition needs to do some soul-searching and return to its practice of moderation, which is Barisan’s core ideology.
Dr Wee added that what’s important for MCA now is to empower itself to shake off any past baggage that may dampen the party’s progress.
“We must raise up talent in the party and identify faithful members, improve our organisational structure, and strengthen our ability to mobilise our members,” he said.
Strong resolve: Dr Wee (fifth from right) and some of the party’s old and new leadership lineup at its 70th annual general meeting. He is flanked by deputy president Dr Mah (left) and secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon (right).
Dr Wee also stressed the importance of demonstrating to other component parties MCA’s value proposition within the coalition.
“We must prove that we are a valuable and influential member able to contribute significantly to our partners.
“In doing so, opportunities for revival will present themselves in times when circumstances shift,” he added.
To a question, Dr Wee said although MCA has ruled out any comprehensive cooperation with the DAP, it will not resort to simply opposing DAP just for the sake of it.
“(The collaboration) will depend on the issue. If it is a good thing and benefits the people, of course we will support it.
“It is not right to withdraw support for good policies just because we are from different parties,” he said.
Dr Wee was asked about his deputy Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon and former MCA Youth chief Datuk Nicole Wong’s comments on Saturday that ruled out any “comprehensive cooperation” with the DAP, as MCA has been on the receiving end of the DAP’s attacks for decades.
However, Dr Mah said that both parties could still maintain a certain level of cooperation on specific issues to safeguard the wellbeing of the Chinese community.
Dr Wee said that it was not about sulking at the expense of the people or political rivalry.
“We should know the basis of the collaboration first. If it concerns the people’s welfare and benefits, why not?
“Just because we used to be rivals, should we continue fighting now, although we are under the same roof?
“What we ask is that, at least do not simply dismiss our concerns today when we raise them, like they did previously when they were in the Opposition,” said Dr Wee, adding that MCA maintains its stance on treating others’ opinions objectively.
Earlier in his speech, Dr Wee said it was important that MCA insist on being a political party and not a welfare organisation.
He said MCA’s founding principles, outlined by party founder (the late) Tun Tan Cheng Lock, remained a guide.
“In 1951, when Tun Tan converted MCA from a welfare organisation to a political party, he faced tremendous internal pushback.
“At that time, he said: ‘If MCA remains a welfare organisation, I will not stay in MCA. My view is that MCA is a political party.’
“That is the conviction of our predecessor that we will not let go of,” said Dr Wee.
He also acknowledged that the shifting political landscape following the 15th General Election last year has altered the dynamics between Barisan component members.
“There has been a clear challenge to the previously held spirit of consensus,” he said, adding that MCA must collaborate with other like-minded individuals from across the Barisan spectrum to reform and reestablish the coalition’s core values.
He also said Barisan’s interests must be prioritised, and perseverance is needed to achieve success.
Dr Wee said in the next four years (leading to the next general election), MCA’s primary goal should be the interests of Barisan, where all component parties should display a collaborative spirit as they work to face the election.
He added that MCA does not have a choice but to make a significant comeback to mainstream politics.
“As the party that was actively involved in the establishment of our country, we cannot forever be an affiliated member that is subject to others’ discretion.
“In the current political development, a one-party-rules-all scenario no longer exist.
“With politics being ‘the art of the possible,’ we remain open to any form of collaboration with parties that promote pluralism, moderation, and democracy that are in line with MCA’s ideology.”
