MCA would not be regarded with disdain if the party had continued to stay out of cabinet after its poor performance in the 2013 general election, claimed its former president Chua Soi Lek.

“I think if MCA had insisted on staying out of the cabinet, we would have had more room to manoeuvre,” he was quoted as saying by The Malaysian Insight (TMI).

“If we had stayed out, then our political situation would be different today. Now the people blame MCA for everything because MCA is part of the government. This is the burden that we have to bear,” Chua said.

Under Chua's leadership, MCA decided against joining the government if the party fared poorer in 2013 the poll than in 2008.

The Chinese-based party suffered a massive defeat in 2013, winning only seven parliamentary seats out of 37 contested, and 11 state seats out of 90 contested.

In 2008, it won 15 parliamentary seats and 31 state seats.

However, after Chua stepped down in 2013, the party, under its new president Liow Tiong Lai, reversed its decision to reject government posts.

Chua, a former health minister, said the recent verbal attacks on tycoon Robert Kuok proved MCA could not champion the community even when it is in the cabinet.

“Senior MCA leaders did not dare to speak up for Robert Kuok, even deputy president Wee Ka Siong, who attacked the DAP over the (Kuok) episode, did nothing,” said Chua.

Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz had previously insulted Kuok and called for his citizenship to be revoked after blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin accused the tycoon of funding DAP.

Liow responded, saying MCA would take action against Nazri, but he did not elaborate.

In turn, the Umno minister stepped up insults against the Chinese party.

'Lacking courage, wisdom'

Chua also criticised MCA for its poor performance on critical current issues, saying the party has shown neither courage nor political wisdom.

“This had led the community to disrespect MCA. If the party did not rejoin the cabinet back then, then we would have more room to express our opinions on current issues,” he said.

The party should have the courage to give differing views even if it is part of the cabinet and BN, he added.

Last November, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak told MCA to perform better in the coming general election and win at least 15 federal seats to justify its number of cabinet posts.

Editor's Note: Malaysiakini earlier reported that Chua was defeated by Liow in the party leadership elections. Chua had stepped down in 2013. The error is regretted.