MCA POLLS | MCA presidential candidate Gan Ping Sieu said he will lead the party to quit BN the next day if he and his team win the polls.

Previously, he suggested that a referendum is held to determine if the party should remain in BN. 

Gan, who announced his manifesto at Wisma MCA in Jalan Ampang today, said the proposition is important to allow MCA to be independent and self-assured.

“This is the first thing we will do if our team wins the polls.

"To remain in BN is a death sentence. We would only stand a fighting chance if we leave,” he added.

The reasons, Gan said, were due to the wrongdoings of some Umno leaders and the collaboration between Umno and PAS which has broken the foundation of the BN principle.

“Our principles are to remain and upheld the moderate values and secular system of the country. When our alliance partner turned to the right wing, it has violated our values.

“We hope that the grassroots will regard this party election as a referendum," he said.

Meanwhile, Gan told MCA members not to worry about the party's survival.  

“As long as we can win back the trust of the people and get the support from the voters, we don’t have to worry about it."

Gan also denied that he was influenced by other MCA leaders.

He was referring to the interview by former MCA president Chua Soi Lek who told Malaysiakini that the party should have quit BN on May 10, after the 14th general election.  

Chua said there is no need to call for a referendum to make such a simple decision.

Gan cited the loss of voters' support as the sole reason for his decision to take MCA out of BN.  

“It is important for MCA to have the courage to change, to rebuild and reform the party."

Gan’s manifesto titled “Courage to change”  has three reform pillars and 15 execution initiatives, which includes political roadmap, management of party assets and utilisation of resources, and organisational reform.

It also includes a renewed pledge for transparency and professionalism in the management of party assets.

Gan promised that the party president and deputy president will contest at Chinese-majority constituencies.  

He said MCA will not “hide” in Malay constituencies anymore just for the sake of victory.

In a  three-cornered fight, the Kluang MCA division chief will take on deputy president and Ayer Hitam MP Wee Ka Siong, and Beruas MCA Youth chief Ngoo Teck Keong in the party polls on Nov 4.

Meanwhile, Johor MCA deputy chairperson Tee Siew Kiong, who is aligned with Gan, will be contesting for the deputy president’s post.

The post will be a straight fight between him and Perak MCA chairperson Mah Hang Soon.