MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has thanked DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke for his continued criticism of the party, saying the remarks serve as a valuable reminder for MCA to remain humble and never take any election for granted.
In a Facebook post late Sunday night, Wee acknowledged that Anthony had every reason to be confident about DAP’s position in Negeri Sembilan, noting that MCA has not won a single State Legislative Assembly (DUN) seat in the state since 2013. The exchange comes as campaigning intensifies ahead of the Negeri Sembilan state election.
“I sincerely thank Anthony Loke for constantly reminding everyone of MCA’s weaknesses. Criticism keeps us humble,” Wee said.
“On behalf of MCA, I also want to thank Anthony Loke for reminding us never to underestimate any election.”
Wee was responding to Anthony’s earlier sarcastic remark thanking MCA for not contesting three of its traditional seats in the upcoming Negeri Sembilan state election.
Explaining the party’s decision, Wee said MCA chose not to field candidates in the three constituencies after assessing that its chances of victory were extremely slim, following heavy defeats there in previous elections.
“There is no point pretending otherwise at this stage,” he said.
However, he expressed confidence that MCA still has a fighting chance in the seven seats it has decided to contest.
Wee also stressed that MCA does not believe voters owe the party their support, adding that it must work hard to regain public trust after being absent from the Negeri Sembilan State Assembly for the past 13 years.
“MCA is essentially starting from scratch in Negeri Sembilan. That means we cannot be arrogant and cannot take any voter for granted,” he said.
He added that the party’s responsibility is to prove that MCA representatives can work hard, speak up for the people and offer voters a credible alternative to DAP representatives who have served in the state for many years.
Wee also expressed gratitude to voters in Johor, where MCA successfully regained three state seats in last week’s state election.
He said he hopes voters in Negeri Sembilan will also consider giving MCA another opportunity to serve by supporting the party in several constituencies in the upcoming polls.
