Umno Youth secretary Hafiz Ariffin has cautioned that MCA’s repeated ultimatums to Barisan Nasional risk losing their impact if they are not supported by a clear direction, saying continued cooperation within the coalition remains the most practical path for the party.
Hafiz said MCA’s statements do carry weight in BN, but issuing them repeatedly without outlining a concrete way forward creates the impression of unresolved grievances that weaken their effectiveness.
He told FMT that such ultimatums may signal underlying dissatisfaction, yet they achieve little if the party does not articulate what it truly wants addressed.
Limited options outside BN
Hafiz also said MCA has few viable alternatives outside BN, noting that Pakatan Harapan is not an option due to the presence of DAP within the coalition.
He added that aligning with Perikatan Nasional would also be difficult, as Gerakan already occupies a similar political and ideological space in that bloc.
Hafiz pointed out that MCA currently holds several parliamentary and state seats under the BN banner, which he said would be challenging for the party to defend on its own if it were to leave the coalition.
Earlier this month, MCA’s general assembly rejected any form of cooperation with DAP in the next general election, saying the party should chart its own course if any BN component chooses to work with DAP.
Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi later downplayed the ultimatum, saying Umno has no direct relationship with DAP and that BN’s ties with PH are strictly on a coalition-to-coalition basis.
Analysts say MCA lacks leverage
Akademi Nusantara’s Azmi Hassan said MCA is in a weak position and does not have the leverage to issue demands within the coalition.
He said BN and Umno are not particularly concerned about whether MCA stays or joins another coalition, adding that parties in a weak position cannot afford to make demands when they rely on stronger partners.
Azmi said BN can simply ignore the ultimatum and continue preparing for the next general election.
