No issue, says Saifuddin on MCA’s absence from KKB polls

PH secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said MCA’s attendance at recent meetings with unity government leaders indicated ties between the party and PH were normal. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: The lack of support from MCA for the Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election campaign is a “non-issue”, says PH secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

Saifuddin said it did not matter as MCA was still a component party of Barisan Nasional, one of the coalitions that make up the unity government.

He also highlighted that MCA had attended meetings with unity government leaders recently, thus indicating that ties between the party and PH were normal.

“A few days ago, in a meeting with unity government leaders, I sat next to (MCA president) Wee Ka Siong, and in another meeting at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur last week, (MCA vice-president) Lawrence Low was also present.

“I take their attendance as a symbol of cooperation. I look at it from a positive angle,” he told reporters after attending the Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house organised by the police and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) at the Sri Sabah flats here.

DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook earlier said his party’s focus in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election was to win over the hearts of voters, not to persuade any other party to back its campaign.

Loke was asked whether DAP would be persuading MCA, a BN component party, to support its campaign.

MCA president Wee Ka Siong had reiterated his party’s stand to not help DAP campaign in the upcoming polls.

Meanwhile, commenting on Bersih slamming housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming for announcing the RM5.21 million allocation for Hulu Selangor residents ahead of the May 11 by-election, Saifuddin said PH respected the election watchdog’s criticism on the matter.

“We have clear laws governing the matter, including the Election Offences Act. Bersih has expressed their opinion and I believe all parties can make their own judgement on the matter,” the home minister said.

Bersih claimed that the allocation, coupled with the minister’s call for support for a “good, caring, progressive” party, was a major concern as it could be perceived as an attempt to sway voters and buy their support.

Nga, in response, denied that the Hulu Selangor allocation was because of the by-election and said his ministry “chose this area because it’s an auspicious place” and that “the ‘feng shui’ here is good”.