Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi praised BN ally MCA for its improved turnout at a government function in Penang today, attributing the change to him "expressing his views" about the party's poor attendance at two earlier events.

"It is clear today that all levels of MCA leadership in Penang are in full force at today's event," Zahid said.

"This is a positive step by the MCA leadership and I congratulate them on the excellent and immediate action which they have taken (to rectify the situation)," Zahid said after attending a federal government function at Dewan Millenium in Kepala Batas today...