MCA is not a political opportunist that forgoes its convictions and beliefs just to win more seats or to be in power, its vice-president, Ti Lian Ker, said today.

The senator said the Chinese-based party will remain true to its cause and strive to uphold politics of moderation and the Federal Constitution.

“MCA will not do just about anything to be in power. We do not offer false promises or provoke our rivals just to take an opportunity to be in power,” he said in a statement.

“We are not in the game of taking political advantages by hitting out at our rivals through lies and slander, and then offer an apology just to be in the same side to be in power.”

Ti said this in response to an academic’s advice that MCA work with rival DAP to be in a good position to negotiate for winnable seats in the coming state elections.

Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya has said MCA has no choice but to work with DAP to remain relevant since Barisan Nasional (BN) is now part of Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government.

“MCA cannot continue depending on Malay votes to win seats like in the past,” Awang Azman was quoted as saying in FMT.

“Its survival depends a lot on its relationship with DAP. If it refuses, it will become irrelevant.”

Ti, however, ruled out any such move, saying that MCA would prefer to stick with its principles.

“We will not exploit extremism to seek the support of any particular race,” he said.

Ti said MCA will be holding brainstorming sessions to chart its future path.

MCA won only two parliamentary seats in the recent general election, and both are in Johor. 

DAP, meanwhile, secured 40 seats.

MCA, which is a founding member of BN, is not included in the unity government’s cabinet.

Ti said MCA supports the government for the sake of political stability. – January 8, 2023.