Whatever seats MCA loaned out in the last general election should be returned, said MCA president Liow Tiong Lai.

"Our stand is that whichever seats we loaned out should be taken back," he told reporters after attending a graduation ceremony at SJK Wangsa Maju today.

In the last general election in 2013, MCA loaned out its seats at Wangsa Maju, Kuantan and Gelang Patah to Umno.

The three seats were subsequently lost to the opposition in the general election, with PKR MPs Tan Kee Kwong and Fuziah Salleh at Wangsa Maju and Kuantan respectively while DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang won the Gelang Patah seat.

Liow also commented on MCA's preparations for the coming general election, saying that they are strengthening the party.

"We are fighting for our survival so it is important that we have to work hard.

"We definitely want to see MCA continue to represent the people, to voice out for the people and for the good of the people," he said.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had said previously in his speech at the ongoing Umno annual general assembly that the 14th general election would be "soon" though he did not specify a timeline.