Gan, who is vying for the president’s post in the party polls next month, said the party wasn’t keen to be under Umno, which is currently led by Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, The Star reported.

This is because the proposed re-branding exercise would see the inclusion of PAS.

“A rebranded BN with PAS, a political party with a theocratic objective, is a no-go for MCA,” the former deputy minister was quoted by the daily as saying.

Gan also said that the Chinese-based party could no longer ignore the calls from its members to ditch the BN.

Prior to the proposal to rebrand the coalition, Gan and his team in MCA had already stated in no uncertain terms that the party must leave the BN in order to reform and rebuild after the defeat in the May 9 polls.

The party only won one parliamentary seat, Ayer Hitam, in the 14th general election.

Earlier today, MCA threatened to cut ties with Umno should it form an alliance with PAS without first discussing the matter with the Chinese-based party.

MCA deputy president Wee Ka Siong said Umno or its president, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, cannot unilaterally make decisions on behalf of Barisan Nasional.

“If they cannot commit to mutual respect for their coalition partners as is expected and instead proceed to partner with PAS without prior discussions with MCA, then MCA will not hesitate to cut ties with Umno,” Wee said in a Facebook post.

Wee, who is also contesting for the president’s post, said it would be meaningless to work together if the two parties had different principles.