The Malaysian Insight

MCA has no issues working with PAS to battle Pakatan Harapan in the next general election but the Islamist party joining Barisan Nasional is unlikely, said Wee Ka Siong.

The MCA president said his party will work with PAS under the current arrangement as long as there is no threat to the spirit of pluralism, as espoused in the federal constitution.

He was referring to the muafakat nasional pact, a tie-up formalised between Umno and PAS.

“I told Umno that MCA can work with PAS. However, if PAS goes against the constitution, then MCA will step in to defend it.

“This is a plural and moderate society guided by the federal constitution,” he said recently.

PAS itself is not keen to join BN, which comprises Umno, MIC and MCA, Wee said.

MCA has also shown that it can work with PAS, as seen in the Tg Piai by-election, he added.

In that by-election, MCA’s Wee Jeck Seng defeated the PH candidate to wrest back the seat for BN. PAS, which had contested for the seat in the last general election, campaigned for MCA and Jeck Seng.

“Although Jeck Seng was not in favour of the hudud bill introduced by PAS prior to the last general election, PAS did not take that to heart and continued to campaign for him in the by-election.

“PAS also represents another Muslim voice for the opposition bloc in Parliament.”

He said PAS also worked with BN to expose Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Salahuddin Ayub’s request to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to award RM1.4 billion in contracts to the National Farmers’ Association. – January 28, 2020.