PUTRAJAYA – MCA’s refusal to help the unity government candidate campaign in the upcoming Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election will not distract efforts to win the seat, said government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi, who is also communications minister, said other Barisan Nasional (BN) parties are focused on assisting Pakatan Harapan (PH) win the seat through its candidate, Pang Sock Tao, from DAP.
“It (the absence of MCA’s election machinery) will not interfere with our campaign. PH and BN’s relationship is still strong, and BN itself is committed to helping.
“The important thing is that we stay focused on the campaign; we have a good candidate,” Fahmi said to reporters at a government Aidilfitri celebration hosted by his ministry and the Housing and Local Government Ministry here today.
MCA has refused to assist the unity government’s campaign in the by-election scheduled for May 11 if a DAP candidate is fielded.
MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong reiterated this in a recent video statement, stressing that the decision was made because DAP had repeatedly insulted MCA, even though both are allies in the unity government.
This comes after DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said in a recent podcast interview that MCA was a party of “towkays” who only cared about the interests of the Chinese, whereas DAP cared about all members of society.
At Pang’s unveiling as the unity government’s candidate last night, representatives from Umno and MIC were present but there was no sign of MCA.
After Pang was confirmed as the candidate, Wanita MCA chief Wong You Fong reiterated to Scoop that the party remained firm in its decision not to help the unity government’s campaign in Kuala Kubu Baharu.
Pang was formerly the press secretary to Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming. She had also previously served as special officer to then energy, science, technology, environment and climate change minister Yeo Bee Yin and was a producer and presenter for DAP’s video channel, Ubah TV.
The Election Commission has fixed this Saturday for nominations and May 11 for polling. – April 25, 2024