MCA not a silent partner of BN - Najib

MCA is not a silent partner of the Barisan Nasional (BN), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak stressed today.

He said instead, the second largest BN coalition party had constantly voiced its views on various national issues, especially those concerning the Chinese community through the proper channels and within the BN system itself, such as in the Cabinet meeting and BN council meetings.

"The voice of the Chinese community is expressed through MCA. The MCA gives its views courteously and not in an insolent manner, but firmly.

"On whatever issues, whether it is the yellow-shirt or red-shirt demonstration, Low Yat (Plaza) incident, and 1MDB, the MCA always gives its views. And I respect the views of the MCA. It is not correct if the DAP says the MCA is a silent partner," he said in his opening address at the 62nd MCA annual general assembly at Wisma MCA here.

He added that working within the system in addressing an issue was more effective and respectable than shouting and talking about it outside.

On another note, the BN chairman urged the Chinese community to continue to have faith and support the coalition both in terms of words and actions.

Najib also said that he wanted the Chinese community to be in the mainstream in developing the country.

He said as UMNO president, he also pledged to continue to cooperate in the best manner with the MCA which had been its coalition partner ever since before the independence.

"I need the support of the Chinese community to be our mainstream partner in the political, economic and social development of the country.

"If we are together, we can achieve greater things for Malaysia," he added.

Touching on extremism, the prime minister also called on Malaysians to reject any form of extremism, whether violent extremism or racial extremism in the country.

He pointed out that the BN policy was based on the diversity in the race, religion and culture of the people which had been determined by the country's founders, and any attitude that contradicted the moderation values of the BN was not encouraged.

"That is why if there are voices that call for the abolition of national-type schools and create a single stream school, that is not BN policy," he added.