KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 18 (Sin Chew Daily) — MCA is still the only option for Umno as a partner, says Ketereh MP Tan Sri Annuar Musa.

He cited three reasons why Umno must not work with DAP in a bid to win Chinese votes.

"First and foremost, DAP is a new party formed in the 1960s while the collaboration between Umno and MCA has dated back to pre-independence days.

"Secondly, DAP is a socialist party, but not MCA.

"Thirdly, DAP's collaboration with other parties in the past, such as Parti Amanah Negara and Parti Keadilan Rakyat under Pakatan Harapan, only lasted for 22 months, while Umno and MCA have worked together for more than 60 years," he said.

In an exclusive interview with Sin Chew Daily, Annuar said some of Umno's top leaders were keen to be aligned with DAP.

He described the move as an untimely conspiracy.

"Umno is clear about the political reality. Umno and the Malays are together. The founding members of Umno have accepted the fact that multiethnic groups are needed for nation-building.

"After independence, Malaysia extends its territory to East Malaysia. This means politics have to be more diversified.

"Umno and MCA work well as a team whereas the Chinese is the second largest ethnic community in the country. Umno's stand remains unchanged," he said.

"What about DAP? They are new as the party was formed only in the 1960s. You may think majority of Chinese support DAP but that's only temporary. Some issues have affected the sentiment in votes."

Annuar stressed that regardless of the changes taking place in the political scenario, Umno must have confidence in Chinese voters. They should not think that all Chinese are supporting DAP because of past election results.

"I do not think the Chinese will support DAP forever. You may discover by now that many Chinese no longer support DAP," he said.

Annuar was former Umno secretary-general sacked by party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as BN secretary-general and Perikatan Nasional secretary general.

Uniting the Malays does not mean that the Malays are against non-Malays, he said, adding that such perception is not true.

"In politics, Umno is uniting all the Malays. Each ethnic group will have its party. But whenever we are in the Parliament debating on major issues and urgent matters, race factor disappears," he said.

Since forming the parties, both Umno and MCA have shared similar political ideology – resolve matters in a moderate and non-extreme way, unlike DAP as it is a socialist party.

"We can't deny that collaboration between Umno and MCA has made major contributions to a modern and progressive Malaysia. Just look at Pakatan Harapan made up of PKR, Amanah and DAP, the formula has failed as the coalition only lasts 22 months. They do not share a similar ideology but Umno and MCA are together for more than 60 years," he said.

Pakatan Harapan's failure was a good example for all to learn, said Annuar, adding that political collaboration was like marriage which requires honesty from both sides.

"I still insist that in a multiracial society, MCA and Umno will continue to cooperate. MCA is not only loyal but a friend of Umno," he said.

"All the Malays know that DAP and Umno can't see eye to eye," he said.

Annuar admitted that only few Umno leaders were keen to work with DAP. 

To him, such intention would not bear fruit.