DATUK Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has denied that MCA and MIC’s decision to sit out of the forthcoming state elections was a boycott against Barisan Nasional (BN).
The UMNO president said the two main component parties of the coalition must have their own reasons for doing so, and that BN’s top leadership will discuss both parties’ decision in a meeting on Monday.
“I respect the decision made by both parties. Both MCA and MIC do not have any friction with BN and despite their decision to not contest, they will still cooperate and help with the campaigning,” Zahid said to reporters after his ministry’s monthly assembly in Putrajaya today (July 6).
“They must have their own reasons [for not contesting] and rather than speculating, I think it would be best that we discuss this on July 10.”
When asked if he would try and persuade MCA and MIC to contest in the state polls, Zahid stressed that the BN Supreme Council will discuss this matter further in their meeting next week.
The deputy prime minister also said if both parties remain adamant to sit out of the state polls, the seats would then be returned to BN, adding that UMNO will contest in those state seats instead.
In separate statements issued yesterday (July 5), MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon and his MIC counterpart RT Rajasekaran said that the parties still pledge their allegiance to BN and will focus their energy on the next general election instead.
“The MCA Central Committee in its meeting today has decided not to contest in the state elections for Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan,” Chong said in MCA’s statement.
“This decision was reached after in-depth discussion and analysis, as well as taking into account the current political situation, where the party will carry out reforms and revival. During this period, MCA will focus more on preparing for the 16th General Election (GE16).”
Chong said MCA will continue with its responsibility as BN component, however, and support the coalition throughout the state election.
Separately on Facebook, MIC secretary-general RT Rajasekaran said the party will also not participate in the state elections.
He said that the decision was made after a four-hour long meeting at central leadership level on June 30.
“However, MIC will continue to play its part as BN component party,” he added.
Previously, MCA and MIC were reportedly left out seat negotiations among parties in the unity government, with BN lynchpin UMNO being the sole representative for the coalition.
Yesterday, the Election Commission (EC) has also announced that polling day for the Selangor, Penang, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu elections will be on August 12.
Nomination day will be on July 29, giving candidates 14 days to campaign officially, said EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Salleh in a press conference. – July 6, 2023
Main pic credit: Malay Mail
