Prime Minister Najib Razak has given the minority Chinese community a stark choice - either vote for MCA or lose representation in the government.

Najib noted that the MCA had already sent this "clear message" to Chinese voters.

NONE He was commenting on the statement by MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek yesterday that the party would not accept any post in the federal and state governments if it were to fare worse in the coming general election than it did in the 2008 polls.

“I see the MCA sending the message that the Chinese cannot support the opposition and at the same time expect strong representation in the government,” said Najib.

"They have to choose. If they want the opposition, they must sacrifice the party in government. If they want a bigger say to serve their interests, they have to support a Barisan Nasional component party," he told reporters here after opening Pangsapuri Rakyat on Duyong island in Kuala Terengganu.

Najib, accompanied by his wife, Rosmah Mansor, was on a one-day visit to Terengganu.  

In stating MCA's stand, Chua had noted that the party won 15 of the 40 parliamentary seats it contested and 31 of the 90 state constituencies it vied for.

Najib was confident that the MCA would always be with BN because "they know BN is a fair government and only BN can ensure stability and harmony in this country."

"We have a proven track record, our policies are  accepted by all communities, so MCA, whatever the situation is, will remain with BN," he said.

Decision not an act of desperation: DPM

In Muar, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the Chinese community would suffer a huge loss if there were to be no MCA representatives in the government.

    

"I hope this does not happen. Barisan Nasional upholds the struggle of all communities, with fair representation of all communities," he told reporters after opening the meetings of the Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings of the Pagoh Umno division.

Muhyiddin rejected suggestions that the MCA decision was a desperate act.

He was confident that the MCA could, with renewed effort, regain the support of the Chinese community.

- Bernama