Barisan stays as it is
MCA president to report to party on March 17
MCA’s wish to have Barisan Nasional dissolved has not reached a consensus with either Umno or MIC. However, a technical committee will be set up to iron out whatever grievances there are among the coalition partners. What’s confirmed though is that Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor is still Barisan’s sec-gen, not Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.
KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional remains intact, as MCA and MIC are not leaving the coalition over Umno’s extra coalition link with PAS.
Barisan Nasional deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said both MCA and MIC understood and fully supported Umno’s move to collaborate with PAS for mutual benefit.
“Every party needs some space to move ahead. Based on that understanding, Umno gets the space to collaborate with PAS,” he said after chairing the Barisan Nasional supreme council meeting yesterday.
Mohamad said although PAS was not part of Barisan, they could still work together to secure their survival in the next general Election.
He also announced that both Umno and MIC did not accept MCA’s proposal to dissolve Barisan.
MCA had in December passed a resolution calling for the dissolution of Barisan.
“Umno does not want Barisan dissolved, as the coalition had served the country well, and made history.
“Together with friends, we have fought for Independence. Why should we dissolve the coalition just because we lost once,” he said.
Mohamad said Barisan remained intact, as no consensus was reached to dissolve it.
“We are still friends, he said, referring to MCA and MIC.
Barisan, had accepted MCA’s other proposal to restructure the coalition.
Mohamad said arising issues must be tackled to forge ahead.
“We do not want parties to feel disheartened, or claim being marginalised.
Some say others are dominant,” he said.
He also noted MIC’s grievances over a previous move by then executives to directly assist the Indian community. “This has weakened MIC,” he noted.
Mohamad said Barisan leaders agreed to form a working committee at state and parliament levels to oversee administrative issues.
Mohamad also announced that Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor remained as the Barisan secretary-general.
The appointment of Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz as secretary-general was not formalised, he said, noting that it is against the Barisan constitution to appoint office bearers without the consensus of fellow component parties.
“Tengku Adnan will remain as the secretary-general until he resigns or gets the sack,” he said.