UKM political scientist Associate Prof Faisal S Hazis told FMT that post-GE13, Umno’s increased overzealousness and chest-thumping politics was at the expense of component parties and minorities.
He said this has seen the Barisan Nasional lose support from the minorities.
He was commenting on a report today in which MCA said some 70 per cent of its 4,900 branches were found to be inactive.
In the report, MCA Organising Secretary Yoo Wei How had said that from 1995 to 2004, MCA scored big victories in three general elections in a row.
This led to complacency and many leaders ignored servicing the people.
This, in turn, led to the party suffering huge losses in subsequent elections.
Yoo also said the party had 1.08 million members but suffered losses in the last two general elections as half of the party’s members did not support MCA candidates.
Faisal said if this was true, then it would explain why MCA lost touch with the ground and why the party was unable to articulate the needs of the Chinese community, which was then filled by the Opposition, particularly DAP.
However, Faisal said there could be other factors which contributed to the “death” or “hibernation” of the branches.
This could be issues of good governance, rising cost of living and allegations of corruption.
“We are witnessing a change in needs and increasing demands. People want transparency, equal development and inclusiveness.
“If there are no reforms at the top, then party members like those in MCA will be demotivated in participating in politics as they will feel they cannot bring about changes.”
He added it would be easier for MCA and other component parties to strengthen their party machinery if there were reforms, as members would start believing in their parties again.
UM political analyst Associate Prof Awang Azman Awang Pawi said the perception that MCA was controlled by Umno also resulted in “silent protests” at the branch level.
Furthermore, he believed the Opposition’s confidence in taking Putrajaya had caused many MCA members to lose hope in the party.
He also pointed out that many young voters leaned towards the Opposition and that even though they did not have a good machinery, they could still deliver.
“As an example, PKR’s machinery is not as good as Umno’s, but the party can still win seats.
“This means there are other factors, aside from the activeness of a party’s branches.
“National issues such as the 1MDB issue, a weaker economy, poor governance and a lack of efficiency have given rise to a negative perception of MCA and other Peninsular Malaysian BN component parties.”
MCA has seven lawmakers in Parliament and 12 assemblymen in seven state assemblies in the country.