Incoming MCA Youth chief: For rakyat, party willing to work with DAP

MCA is willing to set aside its decades-long animosity with DAP for the sake of the nation and people, said incoming Youth chief Ling Tian Soon.

The two bitter rivals found themselves on the same team after Pakatan Harapan chairperson Anwar Ibrahim and his BN counterpart Ahmad Zahid Hamidi decided to form a coalition government after the last general election.

"The current political scenario has changed,” conceded Ling.

“MCA used to be under the BN (government) but now we are under the coalition government, and this is unprecedented in the country's history,” he added.

However, Ling made it clear that the interests of Malaysia and her citizens take precedence over other considerations, including political feuds.

"So MCA has to always be open to talking and working with all quarters, including with DAP. If it's for the benefit of the rakyat and country, why not?" Utusan Malaysia quoted him as saying.

Commenting on the speculated cabinet reshuffle, Ling said MCA would not lobby for positions.

"MCA will not ask for any seats (positions), as this is a coalition government. Whether or not there is a position, we will work with the government for reforms.

"(Appointing people) is the prerogative of the prime minister,” he added.

At present, MCA, which has been struggling to remain relevant since the 2008 general election, has zero representation in the cabinet.

On another matter, Ling said he hoped that MCA would reclaim its previous standing when it was a strong component of the BN coalition, which governed for six decades until losing power in the 2018 general election.

"We have to rise up again and the party has to carry out various programmes to ensure it remains relevant in looking after the welfare and wellbeing of the multiracial rakyat in the country,” he added.

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