00:00Analysts have played down the likelihood of MCA leaving Barca Nacional, saying it is not
00:06strong enough to stand on its own and is still needed by UMNO to stay politically relevant,
00:12despite recent developments in their relationship.
00:15Hisomuddin Bakar, executive director of Ilham Center, said it was highly unlikely that MCA
00:21would be expelled from BN or leave on its own, given its weakened position and loss
00:26of influence in general elections since 2008.
00:29Hisomuddin also said that UMNO should assign MCA appropriate roles in the government to
00:34help revive the party.
00:36He said the exchange of statements between MCA and UMNO leaders only reinforces the perception
00:41that BN's component parties are plagued by internal conflicts.
00:46Last week, Malaysia Kini quoted MCA President Wee Kha Siong saying that outsiders had suggested
00:52expelling the party from BN, adding that these calls came from individuals who previously
00:57accused MCA of betraying the Chinese community by aligning itself with UMNO.
01:02At the same time, UMNO Youth Chief Dr. Akmal Saleh threatened to sue Johor MCA Deputy Publicity
01:08Chief Lau Yak Kwong over the use of an allegedly derogatory nickname, drawing criticism from
01:14MCA Vice President Tantek Cheng.
01:17However, National Professors Council Fellow Azmi Hassan advised MCA not to dwell on claims
01:23that outsiders want it removed from BN, seeing both parties depend on each other and share
01:28common interests in facing future challenges.
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