DAP DARES MCA TO QUIT BN AND JOIN PH
DAP chairman says MCA should do this if it loses by-election
DAP chairman Tan Kok Wai has challenged MCA to leave Barisan Nasional (BN) if it loses in the Balakong state by-election on Sept 8.
He said DAP would consider accepting MCA if it wanted to join Pakatan Harapan (PH).
“It should join us in PH if it loses in the by-election, and if it agrees with PH’s principles.
“We will consider accepting MCA as a component party on the condition it quits BN first,” he said after a walkabout with PH candidate Wong Siew Ki here yesterday.
On Aug 23, MCA secretarygeneral Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan was quoted as saying the outcome of the Balakong by-election would determine MCA’s future in BN.
MCA vice-president Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, the Balakong MCA by-election campaign director, had said it was difficult to wrest the seat from PH.
Tan said MCA’s decision to use its logo in the Balakong bya election was clear indication that it was no longer in sync with BN.
“It once said that it would leave BN if Umno collaborated with Pas. Now, that is clear, so why is it keeping quiet?
“MCA also invited other opposition parties to work with it in the by-election campaign here and in Seri Setia. Which other party is it, if not Pas? It has deviatd e (from its goals), as did Umno when it allowed the Act 355 (Hudud) to be tabled in Parliament under the BN government.”
Tan, who is Cheras member of parliament, said any party based on race and religion could not exist in this country as it could cause disunity.
“Malaysia is a multi-racial country. If race-based parties continue to exist, they can affect the harmony and unity among the people as they look out only for themselves,” he said.
Wong expects a 60 per cent voter turnout on Sept 8.
“Although we are expecting 60 per cent, the election machinery is targeting to get at least 80 per cent because we are working hard to get them to vote. The response is encouraging.”