THE just concluded general election (GE) showed that the two major Chinese-based parties, MCA and Gerakan, are on the verge of ending on the political scrap heap if they do not take steps to reinvent themselves, political analysts said.

They said for the two parties to remain relevant, they need to stop representing only one particular race, draw up a new political narrative, find new political partners and blood new leaders.

Gerakan, which had aligned itself with the Perikatan Nasional coalition of PAS and Bersatu, lost in all the seats it contested, while MCA, still keeping faith with Barisan Nasional (BN), fared slightly better winning the two seats it held in Johor.

MCA president, Wee Ka Siong, successfully retained his Ayer Hitam seat while Wee Jack Seng retained the Tanjung Piai parliamentary seat he won in a by-election in November 2019.

The key MCA leaders who were defeated in the election included deputy president Mah Hang Soon who lost in Tanjung Malim, former president Liow Tiong Lai who failed to wrest back his old Bentong seat, secretary-general Chong Sin Woon in Raub and MCA Youth chief Nicole Wong Siaw Ting who lost in Tebrau, Johor.

Former Southern University College president and political commentator Thock Kiah Wah told The Malaysian Insight that the two parties need to reboot quickly to stay relevant.

He said if the two parties were adamant in sticking to their policy of only concentrating on the Chinese, then their future would look bleak as the country’s Chinese population is shrinking.

“Gerakan might claim it is a multi-racial party but it is at a dead end unable to muster any new support since its fall from grace beginning in 2013,” he said, while noting that it was too focused on the Chinese vote bank.

Thock said it has become imperative for Gerakan to draw up a new political narrative now to meet the expectations and demands of the electorate.

“The leaders of MCA and Gerakan should start to take stock of their respective situations, gather feedback, share views and interact with the electorate on how to deal with their main political rival, DAP.”

“After all, Gerakan is a splinter party of MCA even though they are in different coalitions now. Politics is full of possibilities.”

Thock said one other area the two parties need to look into is their leadership lineup, adding they “looked weak” when compared to DAP.

“Both parties need to ask the question why they are not attracting the right talent. Leadership is important and they need to have young leaders with the drive and vision to give voters a renewed sense of confidence.”

Despite their failings, Thock said he believed all is not lost for MCA and Gerakan, adding they can get back on their feet.

“PKR did just that and so did DAP. They all rebounded from their lows.”

“The same is possible for MCA and Gerakan.”

Political analyst and veteran newsman Cheah See Kian, however, said there were only two options for Gerakan.

“One is to quit altogether as a party or merge with another party.”

Cheah said that longest serving Gerakan president, Lim Keng Yaik, had once said the party would take at least three terms for it to turn its fortunes around after losing power in Penang in 2008.

Cheah said this has yet to happen.

“2013, 2018 and right up to 2022, they are nowhere near winning back power in Penang.”

Cheah said the reason for Gerakan’s failure is the drain of promising leaders who left en masse after 2008.

“Now all that is left are leaders who can’t make it to the big time.”

He said he does not foresee Gerakan giving DAP any fight in the Penang state election expected next year.

“I am not optimistic the party will be able to prise the state from DAP’s stranglehold. Gerakan does not seem to have any engagement plans with voters.”

Cheah said if Gerakan continues to stay in Perikatan Nasional (PN), then voters would just question what role it hopes to play in a coalition dominated by the Islamist PAS and the Malay right wingers in Bersatu.

“Simply put, Gerakan is invisible to the people.”

On MCA, Cheah said even though it is an old party and in a much better position than Gerakan, the fortunes of both parties are almost identical.

“How can MCA claim it represents the interests of the Chinese when in 2018 it had one seat in parliament and after this GE only two?”

Cheah said MCA will not rebound by continuing to align itself to Umno-led BN.

He said MCA needs to find a new political partner and break out of the rut they are in.

“They can’t just stick with the old signboard. It’s not shining anymore.”

“They have to change their outlook before they move on to a new political path.”

When asked if Gerakan and MCA could work together, Cheah said he doubted it. –  December 2, 2022.