KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 6 — MCA and Gerakan today pledged to help each others’ candidates to win in the 14th general elections (GE14), and to discipline any party members who attempt to sabotage the other party’s candidates.
Gerakan president Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong acknowledged that many had viewed the two Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties as competitors locked in a zero-sum game, where one party will be seen as gaining a position at the expense of the other.
“From today onwards, we will work on a win-win solution. From today onwards MCA getting one point will be equal to Gerakan getting one point, Gerakan getting one point will be equal to MCA getting one point.
“I definitely won’t forgive those who sabotage candidates from the party ... Disciplinary action will be taken on those who sabotage the candidates.
“I want to tell MCA candidates, if there are Gerakan members who carry out sabotage in seats that MCA contest in, I will also take disciplinary action. This is our promise,” he said to loud applause during a rally called “Stronger Together” hosted at Wisma MCA.
Gerakan was an offshoot of MCA, but the two parties had this week downplayed any possible merger.
Mah said the fact that BN still lost in some areas during the past two general elections despite its members forming half of the voters meant that some of the members did not support their own candidates, but declared that this will change.
“Of course we can’t deny that some Gerakan and MCA grassroots members have all these while not been happy with each other, it’s undeniable, we have to face reality.
“But today I can guarantee we will put aside the enmity between MCA and Gerakan to face the coming election,” he said, calling GE14 a “life and death” battle where both parties have to be united.
MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, who also took to the stage, similarly declared that his party will stand in solidarity with Gerakan and that it is not a zero-sum game for both parties.
“I also want to pledge to Gerakan that MCA members and leaders will give full support in seats where Gerakan contests to ensure Gerakan candidates have a huge victory. There will be firm disciplinary action against MCA members who sabotage,” he said, adding that party disciplinary action would be carried out swiftly.
A total of 3,118 MCA and Gerakan members showed up today for the first-ever joint rally where they pledged close cooperation for GE14 to win more votes from the ethnic Chinese community.
