MCA leaders were today advised by an opposition member of parliament to be upright and democratic when competing for popularity among themselves and not indulge in unethical acts.

Do not pressure [people in the street] who have no interest in joining MCA and stop enlisting phantom members into new branches. Play fair, said Seputeh MP Teresa Kok.

Kok said she was forced to express her concern following reports of underhand tactics being allegedly employed by certain quarters in the ongoing power struggle between MCAs Team A and Team B.

Kok told malaysiakini that she had received a complaint from an unlicenced hawker who wished only to be identified as Mr Lee.

Kok said he had been approached by membership touts who had threatened to shut down his stall if he did not pay RM10 ringgit to become an MCA member.

These people approached not only Mr Lee but many other hawkers in that area, she said.

Kok said that those targeted were mostly illegal hawkers trying to earn a living by peddling their wares at day and night markets.

They are afraid to come forward because of the threats they have received. It is this fear of their rice-bowl being affected which keeps them from protesting openly, added Kok.

Kok also alleged that several databases of names have been given to some quarters in the MCA and that some people could have become MCA members without their knowledge.

They are misusing the names to boost the number of their members. They want to increase the number of delegates allowed to vote in the upcoming MCA party elections, she claimed.

Protest openly call

Kok also said that she had received complaints from others who have been pressured by business friends who were MCA members.

They feel obliged to these friends of theirs. They are constantly afraid of offending these people as they might lose business revenue if they do not comply with their requests [to become MCA members], she said.

I urge [those] who have been adversely affected by such prejudicial acts to come forward and raise their grievances, Kok said, adding, People are fearful of untoward repercussions but they must protest openly in order to put an end to this.

Otherwise, many will continue to be used as pawns in this underhand political battle, Kok warned.

The number of delegates permitted to vote in the MCA party elections culminating in June is dependant on the number of listed members in the MCA divisions, with three voting delegates for every 500 members. Each excess of 250 members in the division allows an extra voting delegate.