'MCA does not need to be disheartened' - Ahmad Zahid

BAYAN LEPAS - Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties need to focus on strengthening their parties to gain their support from their members and also voters said BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said BN and all component parties need to continue empowering their parties since it is their main principle.

He also reminded all 19 parties not to be discouraged due to the 'smart partnership' that has been established with Unity Government.

"We need to remind ourselves under BN to continue to empower ourselves, not only MCA, MIC and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) nut all allied parties within BN.

"What is more important is the cooperation with all the parties in the BN 'outfit', that is the first principle but with the new political reality in the Unity Government, we have to respect the existence of other parties from this collaboration.

"There are 19 parties in it. I don't want any party to be discouraged when we work together in this 'smart partnership' but instead strengthen each party to gain support from members and voters who are not members," he said in a press conference after launching the Semicon South East Asia 2023

He said, the component parties of BN, especially MCA, do not need to be discouraged by the current cooperation between BN with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in forming the unity government

"The cooperation between BN and PH is a new political reality in the current government where each party must accommodate the presence of other parties in the Unity Government.

"The strengthening of the party is to give a positive impression of the party, not the opposite effect due to past matters.

"Therefore, strengthening the parties for widespread support is more important than entertaining feelings of hurt and discouragement by any political party," he said.

Ahmad Zahid who is also the Deputy Prime Minister was responding to a statement made by MCA Secretary General Datuk Chong Sin Woon who reminded him to put the interests of component parties in BN first, instead of prioritising PH, especially DAP.

In his statement yesterday, Sin Woon also insisted that Ahmad Zahid stick to his principles, besides being vigilant in matters related to cooperation between the two coalitions.

Previously, Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan had urged the party's voters in the six states facing the state elections soon to vote for DAP candidates in their respective areas in order to strengthen the position of the Unity Government.

Ahmad Maslan said that the move was appropriate and in accordance with party discipline when in the Unity Government.