KUALA LUMPUR — MCA must contest in upcoming state and general elections to regain its dignity, party president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said today.
Speaking at the party’s 76th anniversary celebration at Wisma MCA, he reaffirmed MCA’s commitment to contesting in all upcoming elections, at state and federal level because winning more seats is currently the party’s top priority.
Wee said if MCA fails to secure seats for five consecutive years, the party risks fading from public attention and losing its ability to implement its ideals, Bernama reported him saying.
“With (impending) key elections in Sabah, Melaka and Johor on the horizon, followed by the next general election, I urge all members to dedicate their time, effort and resources towards election preparations,” he said.
He party members that MCA currently holds only two parliamentary and seven state seats nationwide.
“That is why I earnestly urge everyone to help the party regain some seats with honour. Winning back our dignity through our efforts is what truly matters,” he said.
At a press conference later, Wee said that state and divisional leaders have been asked to submit their candidate proposals early for constituencies they wish to contest to facilitate the selection process by the top leadership.
He also criticised certain parties attempting to sow discord between MCA and Umno by suggesting that the Chinese-majority party should not contest in the Sabah state election, expected this year.
“I asked the Sabah MCA chairman, and he confirmed that no such issue arose. I personally contacted Sabah Umno Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, and he said the statement did not come from them.
“We will not entertain any political analysis claiming this or that. Let them analyse; I have no issue with that. Everyone has their own strategies. We have been in politics for a long time, and decisions on contesting and partners will be finalised later,” Wee added.
In January, Wee had already stated that MCA would contest the upcoming Sabah election, stressing that it was for the Barisan Nasional (BN) component party’s survival.
In six state elections in August 2023, MCA did not contest in any seat, although it supported other BN candidates who did.
MCA’s performance in the 15th general election (GE15) in 2022 was only slightly better that in the previous election in 2018, when it one only one out of 37 federal seats contested, and two out of 90 state seats.
Following GE15, its current parliamentary seats are Ayer Hitam, where Wee is MP, and Tg Piai, held by vice-president Datuk Seri Wee Jack Seng.
The current state seats it holds are Chenderiang, Machap Jaya, Kelebang, Bekok, Yong Peng, Paloh and Pekan Nanas. – March 1, 2025