SHAH ALAM - The decision by MCA and MIC not to participate in campaign activities for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election is currently considered 'personal' and not definitive.
Selangor Barisan Nasional (BN) deputy chairman Datuk Dr Johan Abdul Aziz clarified that only the BN Supreme Council at the central level holds the authority to determine the involvement of any party within the coalition in election campaigns related to BN and the Unity Government coalition.
He said that a decision will be made by the BN Supreme Council in a forthcoming meeting prior to the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election.
MIC and MCA are expected to present reasons if they opt out of participating in the campaign for the by-election.
"MIC and MCA have yet to officially inform BN Selangor of their stance regarding their involvement in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election.
"It remains unclear whether they will participate in the campaign or boycott the upcoming by-election.
"If they choose to boycott, it is likely considered a personal perspective.
"The authority to decide whether any party in the BN coalition participates in election campaigns rests solely with the BN Supreme Council.
"However, in my personal opinion, MIC and MCA should not boycott the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election.
"They should acknowledge the assistance provided by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) machinery, which supported BN candidates during the 15th General Election (GE15) across six states and numerous by-elections last year," he said yesterday.
Meanwhile, Umno Federal Territories Information Chief Gulam Muszaffar Ghulam Mustakim, opined that the decision by MIC and MCA could have negative repercussions.
He argued that such actions could alienate both parties from the Indian and Chinese communities, besides reflecting poorly on their maturity.
"The law and political norms must be pertinent and garner sufficient votes to stand a chance of winning every election.
"MCA and MIC's inclination to distance themselves from elections only harms their interests.
"For Umno, there is minimal impact as it is not our primary constituency.
"However, if MCA and MIC persist with this stance, they risk fading into obscurity like Parti Gerakan Malaysia (Gerakan) from Malaysia's political landscape.
"In my personal opinion, MCA and MIC should emulate the strategies of figures like Bossku (Datuk Seri Najib Razak), who despite not contesting, actively supports BN campaigns in every by-election, Melaka, and Johor State Elections.
"This should be their approach. If they fail to adapt, it won't be surprising if GE16 bids farewell to MCA and MIC. We shall wait and observe," he said.