All’s well between Umno and MCA
> Issue over poor attendance at BN event resolved, says Zahid
KEPALA BATAS: All is well between MCA and Umno despite Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi ( pix) lambasting the Chinesebased party over its poor attendance during a Barisan Nasional (BN) grassroots event in Rembau recently.
He said the relationship between the two BN component parties is good.
“It has always been good, but during the event, I noticed less commitment from them.
“But after my statement, I saw a drastic improvement and it’s proven here today at this event,” he said after attending a “Turun Padang” programme and launch of the Mobile JPN Bus at Millennium Hall in Bertam yesterday.
The deputy prime minister said he had met MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and his deputy Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong after a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday and was satisfied with their explanation.
“I did not scold them, I only issued a statement because they are part of the BN machinery and they have to be around.”
He also congratulated the MCA leadership for taking his statement positively by instructing their state leadership and members to be more proactive.
On another matter, Ahmad Zahid hinted that there would be a change of government soon in Penang.
He said state BN chairman Teng Chang Yeow and Gerakan must start the ball rolling and move forward in their quest to recapture Penang.
BN is doing better than the Oppositionled state government and changes must happen as there had been numerous weaknesses in Penang of late, he added.
Ahmad Zahid also revealed that he is monitoring the performance of all Umno MPs and state assemblymen in Penang and listed out the coalition’s chances in the coming general election.
He said the report cards of the MPs and state assemblymen have been excellent and urged them to work harder to secure victory for BN.