Seven out of 13 Penang MCA divisions have decided to take the “collective responsibility” for the party’s catastrophic loss in the just-concluded general election.

Led by Tanjung division chief Dr Loh Hock Hun, the divisions made their stand clear that the party should not accept any government posts as they felt “ashamed” to do so.

“We don’t blame anybody for the losses and we collectively take the responsibility. To only blame party president Dr Chua Soi Lek is unfair," Loh told a press conference.

“As deputy chairperson of Penang, you can put the blame on me, it is okay, I will say sorry,” he added.

“I tried my best and did everything I could but maybe it was not enough, I am only human, I am not God,” he stressed.

NONE Loh ( left ) said although the divisions were rejecting all government posts, it would continue to service the people.

This is because not all members of the Chinese community have shunned the MCA, he added, saying the party was “still relevant”.

“My whole life, I have stood firm with the MCA to support the Chinese and I will continue to do so as long as I am around,” he said.

The divisions present at the press briefing today include those from Tanjung, Balik Pulau, Bayan Baru, Bukit Gelugor, Kepala Batas, Bukit Bendera and Batu Kawan.

Their statement comes a week after six divisions came out publicly to urge Chua to take the blame for the party’s dismal show and to quit his post immediately.

Loh’s comment supported Chua’s decision a day after polling day that he would not seek re-election .

Loh said the party should allow the internal election process to take its course starting in June, and let members decide on who is best to lead the party by December.

Chua had also reminded that in 2011, the party had decided not to accept any government posts including cabinet positions if it did worse than in 2008.

Accompanying Loh was the party’s adviser Koay Kar Huah and the other five division chairpersons.

Majority view of the divisions

Loh said he was merely expressing the majority view of the divisions, denying that the earlier six were representative of the Penang MCA.

On Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s decision today to invite MCA to sit on his cabinet, Loh said, “Let the central leadership decide.”

Meanwhile, Loh denied that there were two factions in the MCA over the matter, saying the seven division represented 51 percent of the memberss views in the state.

On whether the leaders have been asked to resign, Loh said no one was doing so as they had done their best in the last election.