PETALING: MCA will be assisting Umno to campaign in the coming state elections, a move to pay back Umno for helping MCA in the past, says MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon.

In an exclusive interview with Sin Chew Daily, Chong said MCA had sent a clear message to party members and he believed the grassroots were aware of that.

Umno has been MCA’s good friend until now and has assisted MCA candidates in past elections.

“As a component party of Barisan Nasional, it is time for us to assist Umno as a form of paying back.

“The grassroots know who have helped us and we should now pay back in kind.

“MCA’s stand is very clear. We will not assist Pakatan Harapan candidates. Our position has never changed,” he added.

Chong said as MCA leaders are visiting states to attend the state MCA assemblies and explain the reason of not contesting in the state election, our leaders are surprised by the positive response from the grassroots.

“We thought the grassroots would not be motivated as we skipped the state elections. Some state chairmen were worried about the attendance.

“By contrast, more members showed up.

“Most members were able to accept the party’s decision of not contesting in the elections,” he said.

MCA is still able to mobilize its people to serve in the states without winning state seats, said Chong.

“Village heads, city councilors and the others are nominated through the federal government for MCA to serve the people,” he said.

MCA is now adopting pragmatic changes and reforms in order to win the people’s support, he explained.

“The unity government needs a different voice to ensure that policy implementation is fair to all people.

“This is the role played by MCA,” he concluded.