Not a good stance if MCA is not in cabinet - Rais

The former Information, Communications and Culture Minister said the stance taken by MCA was not proper because Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was still in the process of forming a new federal government, likewise at the state level.

"There should be consultations, but they rejected from the beginning. This attitude is very suspicious.

"Honestly, we have to say that MCA and Gerakan have actually contributed partly to Barisan Nasional's loss.

"The internal bickering and misunderstanding or absence of collective stand to an extent that several seats were lost to the BN's political enemy," he told reporters after a thanksgiving ceremony at the Jelebu District Council hall, Kuala Klawang here last night.

The thanksgiving was held to commemorate BN's victory in Jelebu in the just concluded 13th general election.

MCA had announced that the party would not accept any post in the government due to its dismal performance in Sunday's general election, winning only seven of the 37 parliamentary seats it contested, and 11 of the 90 state seats.

Gerakan won only the Simpang Renggam parliamentary seat of the 11 parliamentary seats it contested.

The party contested in 31 state constituencies, but won only three seats, namely Pemanis in Johore and Tanjong Papat and Elopura in Sabah.

Rais said MCA should have consulted the prime minister first, before making its stand.

He hoped that MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek would consider joining the cabinet because the absence of the party representative could lead to a situation which could disrupt harmony and the social structure in the country.

"Whether through MCA or other channels, the Chinese community should be represented in the Cabinet. Likewise the Indian community and the minority group in Sarawak and Sabah. This has been practised in BN and we cannot shed this responsibility," he added.