Wee: It’s my duty to convey my party’s wishes

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong says he is unperturbed over criticism aimed at him on the party’s call for the dissolution of Barisan Nasional.

He said every leader had the right to express their views.

“We respect the right of other leaders. They can say whatever they want.

“My duty is to convey the wishes of my party to the Barisan supreme council,” he told reporters at Parliament lobby yesterday.

Dr Wee said it was not right for Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to sarcastically say that MCA should instead find ways to strengthen itself for having only a single seat in Parliament.

“This is not about comparing how many MPs you have.

“To revamp the political structure, I think every leader in the respective component parties should have their say,” the MCA president added.

Dr Wee, who is Ayer Hitam MP, said any decision made in Barisan should be made with consensus.

“We always treasure the spirit of togetherness.

“We make decisions not because of how much representation we have in Parliament,” he reiterated.

MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker said the party’s proposal to leave Barisan had nothing to do with the Umno-PAS relationship, adding that it was due to differing ideologies.

“Even before Umno and PAS got close, many asked me why the Chinese are not supporting Barisan. Was it due to Umno?

“It is not like we want to fight. We are like brothers.

“Now that Barisan is no longer the government, we are free to follow our instincts in our struggles.

“We are not radicals. MCA has always been a moderate platform,” said Ti.