The Malaysian Insight

BARISAN Nasional has learnt its lessons from past failures, especially its humbling defeat in the last general election, and is now looking at a more modest approach to regain popular support, Wee Ka Siong said.

The MCA president said the three remaining BN partners – Umno, MCA and MIC – have also re-evaluated their moves and are exercising caution when making statements that could harm friends in the coalition.

He said Umno, long identified as the “big brother” in the pact, have also started better respecting the principle of equality among the three partners.

After it was unseated in the 14th general election, BN was left with only three parties after 11 other component parties exited the coalition.

“Umno knows that it is not the ruling party anymore. It cherishes the cooperation and friendly ties with parties in the alliance.

“It would be a shame if it was to be separate today. In other words, that would put an end to the cooperation between interracial political parties,” he told the Chinese media in a recent interview.

Wee also said that discussions among the three parties are healthy, adding that BN was not the only opposition party around, as Gabungan Parti Sarawak remains in East Malaysia, and PAS as well.

After the GE14 defeat, MCA was among the first to moot leaving BN. However, the party chose to remain in the pact, and is now looking forward to regaining lost ground in the next general election.

Umno, meanwhile, has forged an official tie-up with PAS, aimed at drawing in Malay support.

In the Tg Piai by-election, MCA, Umno and PAS, along with MIC, all worked together to ensure a healthy win for the Chinese party.

Wee, who is also Ayer Hitam MP, said while there might still be disagreements between them, Umo and MCA are able to iron out their differences through discussions.

He said the BN parties are now more open with one another, with some leaders exercising more restraint when it comes to criticising or meddling in others’ affairs.

“This is very rare. I started serving as MCA president after BN’s loss. I will not deny that Umno, MCA and MIC are now more frank when discussing issues.

“When some leaders make statements, we call each other to find out if there is a problem with the remarks made,” he said.

“When Umno was still in power, it was difficult for you to control a certain district leader from making statements that could cause us to lose votes.

“In today’s Barisan Nasional, the other party will be consulted before a leader makes a statement,” he said.

He said Umno and PAS have also stood by him in Parliament.

“They will say that, this is a Chinese issue so let MCA speak. It is rare and valuable. Today’s BN cherishes multiple voices.” – January 27, 2020.