MCA secures assurances on Chinese representation, accepts two seats in Melaka polls

MCA has agreed to contest two seats allocated by Barisan Nasional (BN) in the Nov 14 Melaka state election after receiving assurances that the Chinese community would retain a voice in the state government.

MCA president Wee Ka Siong said the decision followed discussions with BN component parties and positive feedback from coalition chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on concerns raised by MCA over its representation.

“We were given assurances that the representation of the Chinese community, particularly through MCA, would not be sidelined and would continue to play a role through better arrangements. I can see that we now have a strategy to make adjustments,” he told a press conference after chairing the party’s presidential council meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.

Wee said the assurances included ensuring that Chinese representation in the state government would not be marginalised, describing the outcome as a positive development for MCA and BN.

The party will contest Machap Jaya and Klebang, where incumbents Ngwe Hee Sem and Lim Ban Hong will defend their seats, following BN’s announcement of 21 candidates for the 28-seat state assembly on Saturday.

Wee said MCA would use the BN logo, stressing that the arrangement reflected the coalition’s longstanding ties and that the number of seats allocated was no longer an issue.

He urged BN component parties to strengthen cooperation and focus on maximising the coalition’s electoral gains, adding that the election strategy would be implemented with Zahid’s attention.

On whether MCA would campaign for Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidates, Wee said the party had yet to receive details of the seats and candidates the opposition coalition would contest.

“We will always stand with BN and identify areas where we need to work together,” he said.

Separately, Melaka BN chairman Ab Rauf Yusoh said the dispute over MCA’s allocation had been settled, adding that the party’s role in representing the Chinese community would be reviewed for improvement.

“MCA is okay. Settled. Done deal,” he told reporters after the Umno Supreme Council meeting at Menara Dato Onn.

Ab Rauf called on BN’s election machinery to concentrate on the 21 seats contested by the coalition, stressing the need for coordinated efforts to defend its constituencies and secure every possible vote. - October 29, 2026