BN can’t be too dependent on others in GE16, says MCA man

BN can’t be too dependent on others in GE16, says MCA man

PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional cannot be overly dependent on other parties in the next general election and must look to expand its influence, says an MCA leader.

MCA Youth information chief Neow Choo Seong said BN must be firm in ensuring its identity was clear and respected by its allies in any political cooperation.

“The fundamental task that the BN leadership needs to pursue is to strengthen the party, before putting their hope in other parties to regain its past prominence.

“As a BN component, MCA Youth believes it’s better if the aspects of loyalty and unity are fostered within BN first to ensure the coalition’s stability and longevity in the political arena.

“Our dynamic and ever-changing political landscape demands that we do not place too much hope in other parties to win GE16 and instead work on improving and strengthening the party,” he said in a statement.

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At the Negeri Sembilan BN convention yesterday, coalition chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said BN’s cooperation with the unity government was until GE16, in an apparent warning against attempts to poach its members.

Zahid also said there should not be any efforts to get its members to defect, in reference to Umno Supreme Council member Tengku Zafrul Aziz holding preliminary talks with PKR to join the party.

The issue had led to Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh urging the party to reassess its alliances with parties in the unity government which accept its members.

On Saturday, FMT quoted analysts as saying the episode had damaged inter-party relations within the unity government.

BN put up its worst electoral performance in the 15th general election, followed by the six state elections where it failed to win a single state seat in Kedah or Terengganu, and only won one in Kelantan.

It has, however, managed to win several by-elections for the unity government, including the Nenggiri and Mahkota state seats in Kelantan and Johor, respectively, earlier this year.