BN did not break in through the rear door to rob Pakatan Harapan of the federal administrative capital of Putrajaya, according to MCA spokesperson Mike Chong.

On the contrary, he argued that it was Harapan's internal squabbles which left the door open.

Chong was responding to those who have accused the Perikatan Nasional coalition comprising Bersatu, BN and PAS of forming a backdoor government with the support of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and betraying the people's mandate in the last national polls.

Based on the outcome of several by-elections which were favourable to BN, Chong said, the coalition's prospect of winning the next general election appeared bright.

The last by-election in Tanjung Piai, Johor, saw MCA's Wee Jeck Seng crushing Harapan's Karmaine Sardini with a majority of more than 15,000 votes.

To illustrate his point that BN respected the people's mandate, Chong (photo) noted how the coalition handed over power to Harapan in a peaceful and orderly manner after the last general election.

“We were willing to wait till the next GE to give an opportunity to the rakyat to vote again, as we were confident that the rakyat has evaluated and found that BN is a better choice than Harapan.

“The landslide victories favouring BN in by-elections in the recent past proved that the rakyat has returned to supporting BN.

“Why is there a need to return through the back door as alleged, whilst our opportunity to re-enter the administration certainly looks bright in the next GE?” he asked in a statement this afternoon.

'Who betrayed rakyat's mandate?'

Chong pointed out that the political crisis which led to the establishment of a new government did not stem from BN but was caused by Harapan's own failure.

“Let us reflect on who started this political upheaval which ultimately ended with the collapse of the Harapan government. It is not BN leaders but Harapan's own leaders. But BN is blamed.

“BN did not 'betray' the rakyat's mandate, which in fact, had long been betrayed by the Harapan government. Remember the catchy quote that the 'manifesto is not the Bible'?

“It must be recalled that many balloted for Harapan in the last election because they were attracted by the manifesto which promised the stars and the moon. But in the end, 'janji telah dicapati' (promises were not kept)... Therefore, who precisely 'betrayed' the rakyat’s mandate?” he asked.

On those who claim that BN was rejected in the past because of kleptocracy, Chong questioned if the court cases against these leaders have been dropped since the change of government.

“Even former premier Najib Abdul Razak has said he does not want the charges slapped on him to be dropped after the new government has been formed.

“However, what is strange is that charges against the former finance minister (Lim Guan Eng) have been 'dropped' without reason. Thus, who is betraying the rakyat?” he added.

In September 2018, then attorney-general Tommy Thomas clarified that he had no hand in the decision to drop the graft case against Lim and businessperson Phang Li Koon.

The head of the Appellate and Trial Division at the AGC, deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Mohamad Hanafiah Zakaria, also said he had made the decision to enter nolle prosequi (where the public prosecutor does not propose to further prosecute an accused) in light of new evidence and knowing that the case would not succeed.

Lim was charged with using his public office, when he was Penang chief minister, to obtain gratification for himself and his wife by approving an application by Magnificent Emblem to convert agricultural land for residential purposes during a state executive council meeting on July 18, 2014.

He was also charged with using his position to obtain gratification by purchasing a bungalow from Phang at below its market value. Phang was charged with abetting him

Lim, who is also DAP secretary-general, had always maintained that the charges against him were politically-motivated.

Meanwhile, Chong claimed that BN agreed to form this new government not because it was power-crazy but to rescue the nation.

“We can wait to return to office in the next GE, but what is worrisome is that the situation in the country is spiralling worse, as a result of the feeble administration by the Harapan leadership,” he added.

“The failure of the BN government did not arise from BN, but is due to Harapan themselves failing their own government. There is no need to blame others instead,” he added.