MCA should leave Barisan Nasional to reinvent itself as it has become a laughing stock, said its former president, Dr Chua Soi Lek.

He said if he were still in power, he would pull the plug on MCA’s involvement with the opposition coalition, which has been dogged by controversies before and after its defeat in the 14th general election.

“The present leadership is unable to address the issues. They are avoiding major issues.

“If I were president, the first thing I would do is leave BN,” Chua said during his speech at the launch of his memoir, Like Me or Hate Me: Rising from the Political Ashes.

The former health minister added MCA’s legacy had been ruined by the current leadership.

“I spent half my lifetime in the party. Today, we are disappointed and disheartened. The party has been reduced to a shadow of its former glory.

“This has become a political joke. We are a laughing stock.”

Chua retired from MCA’s top post after the party’s dismal outing in the 13th general election.

He said with party elections looming, MCA members should use this opportunity to change its leadership.

“What you need is hope and inspiration from the new leadership. A leadership in denial is certain to be doomed.”

The former Labis lawmaker said MCA should get rid of leaders such as current president Wee Ka Siong who was part of Najib’s “corrupt administration”.

“The reason I cannot support Wee… they were all ministers in the previous administration. And the previous administration’s downfall is due to a lot of scandals – 1MDB, Felda, Mara.

“They were part of the administration, they are responsible. That is what we call accountability,” Chua added.

The 71-year-old is backing Gan Ping Sieu who is going up against Wee in next month’s party polls.

“The leadership elected next month should be brave. Say the right thing and do the right thing. That is how MCA will get hope back.”

To become a more relevant party in today’s political environment, MCA must also look beyond the Chinese community, he said.

“MCA should not just focus on Chinese schools, should not just focus on independent schools or the recognition of Unified Examination Certificate.

“They have to talk about bigger issues that affect all races like good governance, transparency, freedom of the press, individual freedom and security issues,” he said.

Chua’s memoir is available in both Mandarin and English. The 623-page book details his political career and delves into his sex tape scandal in 2008. – October 21, 2018.