KUALA LUMPUR - MCA will contest the upcoming Melaka state election after high-level negotiations between Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership and the Chinese-based party yielded positive breakthroughs, says BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister stated that discussions involving MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, and Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh have resolved the friction ahead of polling day on 14 November.
“I cannot make the announcement as I have given the Melaka Chief Minister the mandate to do so. Please direct any follow-up questions to him,” Ahmad Zahid told reporters after officiating the closing ceremony of the JELITA Open Day – 12 Hours Sprint Training programme at Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) in Durian Tunggal today.
The event was also attended by Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek, Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari, and UTeM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Massila Kamalrudin.
Tensions erupted over the weekend after MCA warned it would not recognise any candidate announced unilaterally by BN for the state election without the express green light from the party’s central leadership.
Wee had strongly rebuked the initial announcement, underscoring that rolling out candidate lists without prior consultation and consent was unacceptable, particularly when traditional MCA seats were reportedly ceded to rival or partner parties.
On Saturday, BN unveiled its candidate roster for 21 seats, which included two incumbent MCA assemblymen—Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem for Machap Jaya and Datuk Lim Ban Hong for Kelebang.
Addressing voter and grassroots grumblings regarding eleventh-hour candidate swaps across selected constituencies, Ahmad Zahid downplayed the disquiet, insisting any internal friction would be ironed out behind closed doors.
“Such issues arise in every by-election, state election and, even more so, general election. They are not unique to BN but also occur in other political coalitions.
“This is a common occurrence, and I believe we can find the best possible solution,” he said, confirming that no further alterations to the candidate roster would be entertained ahead of nomination day this Saturday. - October 27, 2026
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