Lau Zhe Wei of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) attributed MCA’s cautious approach to its distinct political culture and a difference in the attitude of party members towards its president, as compared with MIC.
“Even if the president makes a statement, he cannot guarantee grassroots support.
“For MCA, ousting a party president during elections is considered normal. So the safest move is to remain in the middle, that is, neither ‘yes’ nor ‘no’,” he told FMT.
On Sept 10, Wee sidestepped questions after the opposition coalition’s secretary-general Azmin Ali revealed talks PN had with MCA and MIC.
Lau said that unlike MIC, which attended the recent Bersatu annual assembly, MCA was not in a position to openly signal ties with PN.
“They will lose support if they join PN because they would have to work with PAS.
“The idea of PAS (working with) the Chinese community has been on the decline. They are seen as too conservative, right-wing. That would kill MCA,” he said.
Syaza Shukri, also of IIUM, said Wee’s careful language reflects uncertainty within MCA.
“He’s evasive because so much is still up in the air. MCA is not as certain as MIC. They really want to assess their options first.
“The Chinese community, whether aligned with MCA or DAP, is more cautious about PAS. If MCA works with PAS, they will have to find a narrative to justify it,” she told FMT.
Syaza said DAP’s previous alliance with the Islamic party under the Pakatan Rakyat banner had been framed as a fight against corruption.
“What will be MCA’s common denominator with PAS,” she asked.
PAS ‘frightens’ Chinese voters
Hisomuddin Bakar of Ilham Centre said PAS’s hardline approach towards the Chinese community “frightens voters”, and has seen PN fail to win over the Chinese vote.
“MCA knows they will continue to be rejected if they embrace PAS. In my view, the grassroots are not ready and MCA is still unclear and not bold enough. MIC, on the other hand, seems more determined,” he said.
MIC deputy youth chief K Kesavan’s attendance at the Bersatu Youth annual general meeting on Sept 6 was on the back of a first-ever official invitation received by his party, an apparent signal that PN is trying to woo MCA and MIC into its fold.
Asked if MIC might consider joining PN, Kesavan said: “That will be up to my party president.”
In June, Wee was reported as saying that 191 MCA division assemblies will “talk about the future and direction of the party” and bring their proposals to MCA’s annual general meeting, scheduled in November.