Pua's jibe shows MCA's role as 'opposition' in BN, says analyst

A recent jibe against MCA by a DAP leader despite the participation of both parties in the present coalition government appears to be an indication of the former's informal position as an opposition voice, even as its leaders hunker down in the wake of their initial resistance to cooperation with Pakatan Harapan (PH). 

MCA president Wee Ka Siong, one of only two party members to win a seat at the Nov 19 general election, had said that MCA would fight against corruption and abuse of power in Barisan Nasional (BN) as one of 18 resolutions passed at the annual general meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 18. 

His statement was mocked by former Damansara MP Tony Pua, who said the BN component had for a long time kow-towed to the "king of kleptocrats", a reference to former prime minister Najib Razak who is currently serving a 12-year jail term at Kajang Prison. 

"LoL. For a party that worships Najib Razak. That never once reproached the King of Kleptocrats. Never even took responsibility and sought forgiveness from Malaysians even after the crrlook was jailed. Cis," Pua had said in a Facebook post later that day. 

His post was met with mixed reactions, including from some users who urged him not to make comments that could risk the stability of the coalition government. 

"You should keep your mouth shut... If you are keep on bringing the past therefore the current unity government also will fall soon because of your arrogance.... You can see DSN fb page as he also mention that... Mind your words," said user JB Suren. 

Others asked why Pua was only responding to Wee and not to Umno leaders. 

"How about for a party that worship Zahid and Umno... look at PH now," said Joshua Lau. 

An analyst said MCA's position as an "opposition bloc" in BN opened it up to criticism from other parties. 

Liew Wui Chern of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman said this could be seen even at earlier stages, when MCA refused to join the government led by PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim in the aftermath of the general election. 

Speaking to MalaysiaNow, he said MCA was in the government now only to ensure enough support for Anwar as prime minister. 

He compared this to DAP's position as a ruling party, with a number of its MPs appointed as ministers and deputy ministers in the Cabinet. 

"So theoretically, we can consider MCA as an opposition party within BN," he said. 

"MCA is the opposition party in the ruling coalition. This is MCA's position in BN."  

Wee had said in the days immediately following the election that MCA was ready to play the role of the opposition, "to provide checks and balances for the government to come". 

He was one of several BN leaders who had said that the coalition as a whole should accept its losses. Others included former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan.

He also objected to the move led by Umno president and BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to work with PH and support Anwar as the next prime minister. 

The same leaders were likewise vocal in their disapproval of Zahid's submission of a letter to the palace, unilaterally expressing the support of all 30 MPs from BN for Anwar. 

BN eventually agreed to join the coalition government, with Zahid returned to the second highest office in the country as one of Anwar's two deputies. 

But unlike Umno, from which six ministers and five deputy ministers were appointed, neither MIC nor MCA received any Cabinet portfolios. 

On Pua's remarks about MCA, Liew said they were his personal opinion and did not represent DAP's stand on the matter. 

"I don't think it will become an issue that will affect the cooperation between PH and BN," he said. 

"What we can say, at least, is that DAP now does not criticise anything regarding Umno. Only MCA."