Mind your own business, MCA tells DAP over BN seat spat

Two leaders from the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) have advised the Democratic Action Party (DAP) not to meddle in the dispute over seat distribution for the upcoming Melaka election on November 14. Chong Sin Woon, MCA's secretary-general, and Mike Chong, the party's youth deputy chief, made the remarks to The Star Online.

Chong Sin Woon emphasized that the Barisan Nasional (BN) has its methods to settle the matter, while Mike Chong stated that the DAP does not need to intervene in determining the party's political direction. He urged DAP to concentrate on resolving internal issues within Pakatan Harapan, especially the opposition to a potential agreement with the Bersatu party in Melaka.

He criticized the DAP's stance, saying it was embarrassing. The PH has only nominated 21 candidates for Melaka despite 28 seats being contested, leading to speculation about an alliance with Bersatu. BN has also announced a similar approach, fielding 21 candidates with seven for Perikatan Nasional. The MCA leaders protested the BN's announcement by walking out of a recent event, protesting their lack of consultation on seat allocation.

This action drew mockery from DAP leaders, who challenged the MCA to either leave BN or run the election under its own banner, including against PN. Mike Chong also raised the possibility of a PH-Bersatu partnership, which was a key factor in the collapse of the PH-led federal government in 2020. He questioned whether the DAP would consider leaving PH and contesting under its own banner if a political deal with Bersatu emerged.

He reiterated that the MCA leadership's walkout was a strong message, but stressed that differences within BN should be resolved internally and in a spirit of unity. He cautioned Umno that the spirit of BN's cooperation would be undermined if decisions involving component parties are made without mutual agreement.