MCA to decide in two days if it will still contest Melaka polls

The Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) is set to convene an emergency meeting within the next two days to determine if it will still contest the upcoming Melaka polls, following their unexpected withdrawal from Barisan Nasional's (BN) candidate unveiling last night.

MCA President Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong revealed that the party was taken aback when BN unveiled its candidates, despite being informed that only the coalition's election machinery would be launched the previous day. Wee stated that MCA had been informed it would receive two seats, both of which they had secured in the previous election.

In 2021, MCA contested seven seats in Melaka. Wee expressed his displeasure during the BN's candidate unveiling, voicing objections but being told the matter would be discussed later. He and other MCA leaders attended the launch of BN's election machinery in Melaka, only to find out that the coalition would also unveil its candidates.

MCA has not submitted the names of its candidates, yet BN insists on naming them, raising questions about the courtesy shown to the component parties. Wee pointed out that MCA did not face this issue in Johor and Negri Sembilan. He emphasized that if state BN leaders can manipulate component parties, it raises concerns about the role of component party presidents.

MCA will meet in the coming days to decide whether to participate in the Melaka election. Meanwhile, BN Chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stated that negotiations on MCA's candidate list for the Melaka election remain open.