Dissolving Barisan will not be easy.

Any decision by Barisan must be made with consensus, says Umno leader

MCA does not have the right to suggest the dissolution io of Barisan – Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Umno president

We respect the rights of other leaders. They can say whatever they want – Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, MCA president

You must have something bebetter before disssolving the existing one – DDatuk Seri M. Sar ravanan, MIC dep puty president

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says he will call a meeting to discuss MCA’s proposal that it is best for Barisan Nasional to be dissolved.

The Umno president said the MCA’s leaders had discussed this with him last week.

However, Dr Ahmad Zahid said any decision involving the former ruling coalition should have the consensus of all its partners and not just one party.

“I will hold discussions with the other four core parties. The MCA does not have the right to suggest the dissolution of Barisan.

“Although it is only a proposal, they must know that any decision by Barisan must be made with consensus or unanimously,” Dr Ahmad Zahid told reporters at Parliament lobby yesterday.

Besides Umno and MCA, Barisan comprises MIC too.

The status of myPPP and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) within the coalition is, however, not certain due to developments in both parties.

Dr Ahmad Zahid said he respected MCA’s decision but said it should strengthen itself first.

“Because they are only left with one (parliamentary seat), and even for that seat, it consists of majority Malay voters,” said the Bagan Datuk MP.

At its 65th annual general meeting on Sunday, party president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong announced that MCA wanted Barisan to be dissolved.

He said the party central committee had been authorised to pave the way for the move and to form an effective alliance.

Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said: “The MCA should just quit Barisan if its members have lost faith in the coalition.

“This will make it easier for Umno and its other remaining members in our rebuilding process.”

Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa concurred.

“The dissolution is just a suggestion and I’m sure that we have many options. Barisan is reinventing itself. So far, there is no talk of the coalition dissolving, as we have to consult other component parties.

“The future of Barisan is not determined by MCA only,” he told reporters at Parliament lobby.

Annuar said that Umno should keep its options open on cooperation, even if it meant working with its arch-rival DAP.

“If Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad can cooperate with DAP, and if PAS can cooperate with DAP, who knows? Maybe one day Umno can also cooperate with DAP.

“Don’t keep yourself in a cocoon. The most important thing here is how we can best serve the people,” he added.

MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan said he was shocked with MCA’s proposal.

“You must have something better before dissolving the existing one,” he said.

I will hold discussions with the other four core parties. The MCA does not have the right to suggest the dissolution of Barisan. Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi