'Siblings argue': Umno Youth chief confident MCA stays in BN

Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has expressed confidence that MCA will remain a loyal ally in BN.

Speaking to reporters today, he pointed out that unhappiness and dissatisfaction among component parties in a coalition are common after decades of working together.

“We - MCA, MIC, and Umno - are like siblings. Siblings will have arguments but it must be resolved in a good manner.

“In BN Youth, we have a very good and harmonious relationship. There are no rumours saying (anyone) will leave BN. Even with MCA president Wee Ka Siong, I have quite a good relationship with him.

“I believe MCA will remain loyal as our ally,” he told reporters after officiating the Subang Umno delegates meeting at the Selangor Umno building in Shah Alam today.

Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported a source saying that MCA grassroots are putting pressure on the party leadership to leave BN.

According to the top party leadership source, MCA is no longer happy with its position in BN, having joined the coalition 72 years ago.

The move to leave was said to be necessary before it is too late.

The source also added that the pressure on the MCA leadership to make a drastic decision intensified after Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said BN will continue to work with Pakatan Harapan to face the 16th general election (GE16).

Sources told Malaysiakini that MCA being sidelined from important government positions has also affected the attitude of party members. However, the sources said the party’s central committee has not decided on exiting BN.

No discussions within party

MCA secretary-general Chong Sin Woon later denied any such discussion.

“Not true. No such discussions within the party,” Free Malaysia Today quoted him in response to Malaysiakini’s report.

The FMT report also quoted another unnamed MCA leader claiming certain quarters are trying to divide BN.

In addition, Akmal said he celebrates a diversity of opinions and believes that MCA’s outspokenness is to play the role of checks and balances to the current administration.

“We can have different opinions but don’t label these people as those who want to leave the party or as spokespersons of other parties.

We have to learn that the difference in views is to help improve our weaknesses.”

‘Still strong as brothers’

On his relationship with Lokman Noor Adam, Akmal said he respects the former, a supreme council member, as a ‘brother in the Umno leadership’.

However, he reminded Lokman that the culture of name-calling is one of the reasons why the people no longer support the Malay-centrist party.

“I didn’t start (the arguments), he did. I have never turned down a challenge.

“Whatever it is, we are still strong as brothers,” he said.

Lokman and Akmal have been at loggerheads with each other on various issues, the latest being Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul’s decision not to declare the six Parliament seats vacant, despite their incumbents having shifted their support to the government.

Akmal previously lampooned Johari’s decision, saying it rendered the highly anticipated anti-hopping law meaningless.

“The anti-hopping law was all for nothing.

“Political stability is only for self-interest. Don’t be angry with the people if they hate politicians.

“Have fun destroying the country, you political frogs,” he said in a Facebook post.

Lokman then slammed Akmal, warning the latter against becoming Perikatan Nasional’s spokesperson on the issue.

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