The Malaysian Insight

MCA members have no objections to the PAS-Umno Muafakat Nasional alliance, but only as long as it does not result in religious radicalism.

Taking a cue from party president Wee Ka Siong, who had said that the alliance was enacted purely in the spirit of opposition unity, members also said Muafakat Nasional need not be a formal coalition for them to support it.

Tan Wei Teai of MCA’s Pasir Salak division told The Malaysian Insight that he was not against Muafakat Nasional as it has not expressed any extreme racial or religious views.

However, he said MCA should maintain the status quo and, while supporting Muafakat Nasional, not join it formally as yet. 

He also reminded Barisan Nasional not to go against the constitution when it comes to race and religion.

“Don’t jeopardise MCA’s interests. After all, MCA represents the Chinese community,” he said.

Yang Yi Fu from MCA’s Tanjung Malim division also had no problems with Muafakat Nasional, so long as it is beneficial for the people.

“Unless PAS wants to push for an Islamic state, we don’t see any problems at the moment,” Yang told The Malaysian Insight.

Calls have, however, been made for PAS to join BN, instead of BN parties moving the other way to join Muafakat Nasional.

Alvyn Chiang from the Bagan Datuk division said should PAS join BN, the Islamist party would be confined to the former ruling pact’s spirit, which requires all member parties to reach a consensus in decision-making.

“PAS can join BN and maybe, we can stop it from pushing for an Islamic state,” he said.

Chiang added that MCA has always respected the moderate mode of governance practiced by BN.

“If the cooperation between MCA, PAS and Muafakat Nasional can bring good for the people, then why not?”.

Ler Soon Tzong from Pasir Gudang MCA Youth said no problems should arise with Muafakat Nasional if PAS does not try to push for hudud, which MCA has long resisted.

“If DAP could work with PAS in the past, why can’t MCA?” said Ler.

Anthony Lee of the Pasir Gudang division said the recent Tg Piai by-election also showed that MCA could work with PAS.

“The Islamist party helped the opposition in the by-election. It did not encourage Chinese to join PAS.

“I do not see any extreme behaviour by PAS. On the contrary, the extreme leaders have left PAS and Umno to form Amanah and Bersatu,” he said, adding that he supported Muafakat Nasional.

Umno and PAS forged the Muafakat Nasional alliance in September with the aim of pulling its resources together to defeat Pakatan Harapan in the next general election.

In the recent Tg Piai by-election, PAS worked with BN parties to ensure a win for MCA.

Yesterday, MCA president Wee Ka Siong said that the cooperation in Tg Piai showed that the people were ready to accept Muafakat Nasional but added it should only be seen as a tie-up in the spirit of opposition unity.

“We only appear in one coalition; that is BN. I don’t understand what you are saying about a new coalition,” he had said when asked if MCA would join Muakafat Nasional.

“I said it in my policy speech at MCA’s annual general meeting; it is purely the spirit of opposition togetherness. My interpretation of Muafakat Nasional is that it is not something that you have to apply to be a member of, but that anyone who wishes, who subscribes to the idea, even Sarawakians, Sabahans, and those who want to contest together, (can join),” Wee had said.

BN component party MIC, however, was more positive on the alliance, expressing its willingness to join Muafakat Nasional yesterday.

It was reported that MIC president S.A. Vigneswaran had said his party was open to joining PAS and Umno in the alliance.

Earlier yesterday, Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan had also said that MIC was keen to join Muafakat Nasional.

“MIC is very much in favour of joining, and MCA is very much (sticking to its) principle that, as long as it doesn’t contravene the constitution, why not,” he had said.

Mohamad had also said that Muafakat Nasional’s technical committee was exploring its options.

“We are looking at every aspect, every angle, whether or not to form Muafakat Nasional as a party (coalition), or just a loose coalition, whether BN and other parties join on their own, or (whether to) form a bloc,” he had said. – December 2, 2019.