Barisan may be stronger without SAPP, says Ong - The Star

SLIM RIVER: Jun 23, 2008

Barisan Nasional may turn out to be a stronger coalition if Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) is expelled from it, says MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan.

While Barisan may have one component party less, he felt that the experience would serve to instil awareness on the importance of discipline among its members.

He pointed out that Barisan did not make any hasty decision during the early period when it was not clear if SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee was acting on his own when he said SAPP would support a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister.

It was only on Friday that SAPP officially endorsed Yong’s controversial call.

Ong said the fact that the Barisan supreme council chose to wait proved its patience and consideration towards its component parties.

“We treasure all our 14 component parties. But if SAPP still does not value that and if they still want to act against our principles, then I feel Barisan has to take action.

“Although we lose a component party, that is the situation we have to face in order for Barisan to become stronger,” he said.

Ong, who is also Tanjung Malim MP, said this to reporters here yesterday after presenting computers worth RM52,000 from his MP allowance to 20 mosque committees in his constituency.

He said if there was any disagreement in any of the Barisan component parties, this could be discussed. “Whether it is with the supreme council, state or own party, we can discuss and debate. But we must stand strong.”

Ong urged all the component parties to stand together and not be divided, or else they would be “taken advantage” of by the Opposition.

He reiterated that despite PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's claims, none of the MCA MPs planned to take the side of the former deputy prime minister.

“He is a trickster. He’ll say that there are MPs in MCA already siding him, and use the same trick on other component parties.

“Anwar has also long claimed that 30 MPs will leave Barisan but until now, nothing has happened.”