MCA will not work with DAP in upcoming elections, including the next Melaka state election, party secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon said.
Chong said the decision remained unchanged despite ongoing discussions within Barisan Nasional (BN) over its possible electoral strategy for the Melaka polls.
He explained that while the BN leadership would ultimately determine whether the coalition contests the election independently or works with another political bloc, the views of the Melaka BN chapter would be given priority.
“However, MCA will remain firm in not cooperating with DAP,” he said when contacted.
Chong added that MCA’s position was consistent with a resolution adopted during the party’s annual general assembly last year, signalling that the party would maintain its stance despite possible shifts in the wider political landscape.
The issue of cooperation between political parties has gained attention ahead of the Melaka election, with Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh previously indicating that he would prefer BN to work with Perikatan Nasional (PN) rather than Pakatan Harapan (PH).
Akmal’s position reflects a cooperation model seen during the Negri Sembilan election, although the final approach for Melaka has yet to be decided.
BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi previously said any decision on political cooperation must take into account the sentiment at the grassroots level, stressing that the political landscape in Melaka could differ from that of Johor and Negri Sembilan.
As discussions continue, the positions of individual BN component parties are expected to remain an important factor in determining the coalition’s strategy for the upcoming Melaka polls.
