MCA president Wee Ka Siong has stressed that the cooperation between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the Negeri Sembilan state election does not compromise the political principles of either coalition.
He said the arrangement was a strategic cooperation designed to avoid multi-cornered contests that could split votes and improve the chances of forming a stable state government.
According to Wee, the objective is to establish a stable, efficient and effective administration that can ensure the continued development of Negeri Sembilan.
He emphasised that the cooperation should not be regarded as a political alliance, adding that each party would continue to uphold its own ideology while serving as a check and balance on one another.
Wee also said MCA’s participation was intended to ensure continued representation of the Chinese community, Malaysia’s multiracial society, vernacular education and religious freedom in government.
He added that MCA would not provide unconditional support to any political party.
Seat arrangement and election strategy
BN is contesting 25 seats in the Aug 1 state election, while PN is fielding candidates in the remaining 11 constituencies, with no overlapping contests.
PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said PAS had agreed in principle to allow BN to defend the 14 seats it previously held in Negeri Sembilan, while PAS would contest the three seats it won in the last state election.
Wee said the decision to proceed with the cooperation was finalised in the early hours of July 15 after considering feedback from various parties, including the Negeri Sembilan MCA leadership.
He said BN ultimately decided to contest the 25 seats where it believed it had the strongest chance of victory.
Wee also stressed that the cooperation does not prevent any other party from contesting, noting that participation in elections is a right protected under the democratic system.
He reiterated that the arrangement is strictly an election cooperation and will not lead to the formation of a new party or political coalition.
MCA responds to Youth leader issue
The remarks came after MCA Youth secretary-general Saw Yee Fung questioned whether the party leadership had endorsed BN’s cooperation with PAS for the Negeri Sembilan election.
Saw was later informed by MCA secretary-general Chong Sin Woon via text message that she was not required to participate in BN’s election campaign.
Separately, Chong said the decision was made collectively by both MCA and BN, adding that they believed the incident had caused considerable damage and could become an issue exploited by political opponents.
He said he was carrying out the responsibility entrusted to him by the party and stressed that the decision was neither personal nor intended to target Saw.
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