OVER 100 Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) members, including branch leaders from Kluang, officially left the party today to join Bersatu as associate members.
Johor Bersatu associate chief Tan Lek Khang said the mass defection from three MCA branches reflects a loss of confidence in MCA and Barisan Nasional’s leadership.
“They chose Bersatu for its inclusive, progressive fight for all Malaysians, regardless of race or religion,” Tan said.
He believes this wave of support will grow, with associate members strengthening Bersatu’s role as Malaysia’s future party, ensuring their voices are heard in national politics. This shift in allegiance from MCA members is happening while Johor’s Bersatu faced the exit of some Malay leaders and members in November last year.
The Bersatu Tenggara Division was disbanded after its chief Hassan Rasid and committee members announced their exit from the party.
Nevertheless, the exit of the MCA members who joined Bersatu is now the hot topic of discussion on X. Some users are in utter shock others are finding it hilarious that Chinese leaders are joining a Malay-based party.
But the impact could be huge in upcoming elections if the exodus from the MCA continues.
In March, former MCA Youth secretary-general Leong Kim Soon left the MCA to join Bersatu, leading approximately 100 MCA members in the defection.
In a Facebook post, Leong, previously political secretary to former MCA president Liow Tiong Lai, announced his immediate resignation from MCA.
According to Sin Chew, Leong was officially welcomed into Bersatu’s associate wing during a breaking of fast event in Bentong, Pahang, where he submitted around 100 membership applications to Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
According to user @oreo_koshka330, Bersatu is losing the support of Malays, and that is why it is attracting Chinese support.
“Bersatu Johor tak ada sokongan melayu, cari cina pulak,” the user wrote.
😅😅😅
Bersatu Johor tak ada sokongan melayu, cari cina pulak dah pic.twitter.com/8Dbx7mP7dD— Madam K 🐈⬛ #letsBuildGaza (@oreo_koshka330) April 18, 2025
The post is accompanied with paper clippings of Malay members leaving Bersatu, and they are dated as far back as 2022.
Another user said only “betrayers” join Bersatu, and the comment is accompanied by a photo of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad with a quote:
“Muhyiddin paling banyak khianati saya: Dr Mahathir”
Hanya pengkhianat saja yg masuk PPBM – Parti Pengkhianat Bangsa Maksiat. pic.twitter.com/AtvIJAjG15
— Malaysian (@Malaysian10) April 18, 2025
The confusion for some users was obvious as they questioned whether Chinese citizens could join Bersatu, a Malay party. — April 19, 2025
@weekasiongmp sampai bila MCA nak tolong Bersatu ????? 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔 sejak bila Cina boleh jadi ahli, parti bukan untuk bangsa Melayu dan Bumiputera saja ke ????? pic.twitter.com/2y2BYedJzw
— Michael Loh (@MichaelLwk) April 18, 2025
Main photo credit: Bernama
