What’s MCA worth when it can't even get 10% of the Chinese vote?

Ooi Choong Han Ooi Choong Han Updated 5 years ago · Published on 15 Jun 2018 7:00AM · 8 Comments

Only one out of 10 Chinese voters in the peninsula voted Barisan Nasional at the last elections, leading to the coalition's loss of power after six decades. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, June 15, 2018.

JUST imagine, only one out of 10 Chinese Malaysians living in the peninsula would be a supporter of MCA.

The statistics show that the future of the once self-proclaimed voice of the Chinese community is beyond bleak.

With only one parliamentary seat and two state seats to its name, this is the reality that the 69-year-old MCA faces after near-total annihilation at the 14th general election.

An analysis by party think-tank Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research (Insap) showed that MCA was rebuffed by its own community‎.

MCA contested in 39 parliamentary seats in total – all Chinese-majority areas – but could not even win 10% or four seats.

In Cheras, where the Chinese make up 83% of voters, MCA gained 11% of the votes. In 82% Chinese Seputeh, the party received only 10% of the votes.

“In parliamentary seats where there are 80% Chinese or more, especially those in the peninsula, MCA and BN (Barisan Nasional) only received between 10% and 14% of votes,” said the report.

“Even then, we have to cut the numbers down as there are non-Chinese voters in those areas who voted BN. Minus that, the Chinese vote we received is only about 7% or less.”

Insap senior analyst Lim Wei Kean said the GE14 results have placed one of Malaysia’s founding parties at the crossroads, where it can either reform or be left as a footnote in the annals of history.

“This is the first time that MCA is in the opposition, where it has to seriously think of where the party will go next… We had never been in the opposition since independence, whether we can be effective is still an unknown,” said Lim.

“Looking at Penang and Selangor, I think we aren’t doing well as the opposition.”

Lim said whether or not the party remains relevant in the future hinges on the road it takes.

Wee Ka Siong is MCA's sole member of parliament and will likely be party president. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, June 15, 2018.

MCA deputy president Wee Ka Siong, who is expected to become the president in upcoming party polls, told The Malaysian Insight earlier that the party is not ruling out the possibility of quitting BN or opening up its membership to non-Chinese Malaysians, making it a multiracial party.

But Lim said even if MCA accepts other races and leaves BN, it will only regain support if its transformation goes beyond a superficial level.

“If we only turn into a multiracial party, then what’s the difference between MCA and DAP? MCA wouldn’t stand out in the market,” he said.

“What are MCA’s aspirations and goals? What is MCA’s ideology? It is only when we differentiate ourselves from the opponent that we can be distinguished.”

Analyst Phoon Wing Keong said MCA should return to its roots and continue to be the party that represents conservatism and business interests.

“Since its founding, MCA has always played the role of the protector of Chinese businesses, with emphasis on cooperation and the country’s development. MCA can double down in its corner and strengthen itself as a party for free trade and the economy which protects business interests,” said Phoon.

“The country’s business community, especially Chinese businesses, could use a political representative down the road.”

Phoon said he was doubtful that including non-Chinese members would help the party in its revival.

“There are many other parties that Malays or Indians can join, why join MCA? That’s why the party has to go back to its roots.

“What were MCA’s values, what did the party stand for, why could the party attract followers? This is the only way to solve MCA’s problems.”

Phoon said from as far back as 2008, the Chinese had already signalled their rejection of MCA for its perceived failure in defending the rights of minorities‎.

When asked what would the Chinese lose if MCA no longer existed, Phoon paused, then said: “What is there to lose? I can’t think of any loss if MCA is no longer here.”

“Politically speaking, Chinese Malaysians still need a strong opposition, definitely. But if MCA cannot fulfil that role, there are others who can do it.

“There will definitely be parties who can check Pakatan Harapan. A brand new opposition may even do better as they will not have the old baggage carried by old parties, with a new image, new brand and a clean slate.

“MCA couldn’t be a good ruling party, so it was deposed.

“If after that, the party can’t even be a good opposition, then it truly will be irrelevant.” – June 15, 2018.

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Comments

  • Wee Ka Siong has a better idea of the core issue and the tracks for MCA than UMNO does. But representing business is NOT a political movement. Business are not citizens even though they are legal independent entities. Representing business owners is hardly vote getting strategy. He is still not seeing it.

    Posted 5 years ago by Bigjoe Lam · Reply

  • Fret not wee ka tong,chin tong is in the midst of requesting for a recount

    Posted 5 years ago by Leslie Chan · Reply

  • The roots of MCA is that of a towkay party. Better not go back there. Maybe can be a party for coolie from now on.

    Posted 5 years ago by Savari CJ · Reply

  • When it matters most, MCA has proven to abandon the Chinese. You have to ask yourself: does moral principles matters to you or govt positions matter more to you? You were not willing to resign as a matter of principle over Umno's bashing of the Chinese, n the Christians. You were a lame-duck or an empty tin when comes to 1MDB. Furthermore you attacked DAP over small issues thinking that you can gain political mileage. All these were nauseating to the Chinese community. Now you want to regain support? In my humble opinion, it's better to wind down MCA. With the present set of leaders, it doesn't justify your existence

    Posted 5 years ago by Peace Maker · Reply

  • A racist political party but unable to champion the race will perish. "Bikin tak serupa cakap". Leaders in MCA are traitor to Chinese Community - in exchange for position, power, money and title (datu, datuk, datuk seri, tan sri, tun).

    Posted 5 years ago by Chris Ng · Reply

  • Season changes, accept that MCA's relevance has come to an abrupt end and prolonging it is akin to sustaining on life support system for no sentimental reasons whatsoever. Rather than being a minute blob of ink in a cup of milk, it should die a natural death and dispense the huge war chest accumulated over the years to help the needy. That way, at least it will be recorded in Malaysian history of having being useful once.

    Posted 5 years ago by Shovel Nose · Reply

  • To describe how I feel about MCA, two words come to mind, IRRELEVANT and REDUNDANT.

    Posted 5 years ago by Richard Tay · Reply

  • what was mca primary objectives were they were formed back in some 69 years ago ?
    back then , Independence formation were specially led by the BE and also selected individuals as the country leaders and administrators.
    Project IC were somehow became the bargaining chips to get those migratn Chinese their rightful citizenship of this about to formed country - Malaysia.

    Posted 5 years ago by Jimm liew · Reply