KUALA LUMPUR – The decision by MCA and MIC not to be involved in the upcoming Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election on May 11 is disappointing, says former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim.
He said these parties’ involvement could bring change to the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, as Malaysians, especially the Chinese and Indians, want fresh perspectives in politics.
“It’s a pity that the leaders of MCA and MIC do not see the need to fill up the vacuum of the nation’s politics. You do not do that by staying away from Kuala Kubu.
“I don’t profess to understand the kabuki play of Malaysian politics, but what is certain is that the country needs a new BN voice. What is the attraction of the old BN?” he asked in his latest post on X.
His comments were in response to MCA’s statement that it would not campaign in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election if the candidate was not from BN.
This decision was made despite BN being a part of the unity government, which also consists of Pakatan Harapan (PH).
DAP is expected to field a candidate for the seat to represent the unity government coalition in the by-election.
The Malays have no issues with MIC and MCA as they have supported both parties during BN’s tenure in power, Zahid said.
“The Malays are not anti-Chinese or anti-Indians, for they accepted MCA and MIC for 50 years.
“BN was able to keep racial politics at bay. The Malays were comforted that they were in control of the government, the non-Malays were unhappy but did not feel threatened, and businesses were churning well for everyone,” he said.
He added that a stable government needs a Malay-led government (in its true sense), which gives priority to business development, which can be viable only under the BN model but with modifications.
Zahid, however, said that this was distinct from how the Malay community viewed the unity government, as they see the “DAP Chinese as coming from a different mould” from MCA.
“The Malays do not believe that the current administration is a Malay-led government. They believe DAP is in charge,” he said. – April 21, 2024