MCA to set up mechanisms in BN to combat graft, abuse of power

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated following a correction sent by MCA.

MCA has pledged to set up mechanisms within the party and the BN coalition to combat corruption and abuse of power.

This was one of 18 resolutions passed by the party’s annual general assembly, which was held behind closed doors in Kuala Lumpur today.

The initial English and BM translation of the anti-graft motion - which was in Chinese - stated that MCA would combat corruption within the party and in BN.

MCA has since issued a corrected translation to the media.

The party previously came into conflict with BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi - who is on trial for two corruption cases - last month, during efforts to form a government.

Zahid was acquitted by the High Court on the Foreign Visa System (VLN) case - but the prosecution is appealing the acquittal.

He is also on trial over corruption and money laundering charges involving RM31 million of funds from Yayasan Akalbudi.

In the aftermath of the 15th general election, MCA initially objected to a letter Zahid reportedly penned to the palace pledging BN’s support for Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister.

This was because the letter ran contrary to the coalition’s supreme council's stand at the time to remain a neutral opposition bloc.

MCA called for Zahid to resign as BN chairperson over the matter.

BN ultimately pledged support for Anwar, with Zahid one of the two deputy prime ministers in the government.

MCA and BN-partner MIC, however, do not have any minister or deputy minister posts.

Despite not having any representation in Putrajaya and its earlier conflict with Zahid, MCA still resolved at its assembly today to back Anwar, in line with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s urging for parties to unite and support the government.

Speaking to the press after the assembly, MCA president Wee Ka Siong - who is one of the party’s two MPs - affirmed support for Anwar, saying: “We are part of the unity government.”

Wee met the prime minister on Thursday to congratulate him and for a discussion of the issues.

Besides combating corruption within BN and affirming support for Anwar, other notable resolutions passed at the MCA assembly today included calls for institutional reforms.

This includes a political funding act, separating the post of attorney-general from the solicitor-general, and having Parliament vet appointments to key government positions, among others.

The assembly also passed a motion urging the government to allocate at least RM40 million in matching grants to the Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT).

The previous Pakatan Harapan government slashed funding for TAR University College (TAR UC), as it was then known, to get MCA to relinquish control of the varsity.

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