KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir refuted claims about MCA's exit from the BN coalition after a partnership of 72 years, dismissing it as a rumour.
"That is merely a rumour created by certain quarters.
"Currently, the MCA president and secretary-general have also said that this is not happening," he said at the Cheras Umno division representatives meeting here today.
Earlier today, the media reported that MCA denied allegations that there was pressure on its top leadership to leave the BN coalition.
MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon was reported as saying that there had been no discussions on the matter among the party's top leadership.
Zambry, who is also Umno supreme council member, said BN regularly holds supreme council meetings, where they engage openly with all component parties on political matters.
When asked about the proposal approved at the Alor Star Umno division meeting demanding seats in the parliament seat and a state seat, Zambry said it is a common practice and does not happen only to Alor Star seat.
"It involves not only Umno, but also other component parties and friends of BN.
"The decision will be made at the BN level through the supreme council meeting. So, it is still too early for us to consider," he said.
Today, the Alor Star Umno division representatives meeting approved a motion demanding a parliament seat and one Dun seat in the area to be contested in the 16th general election.
The motion was put forward by the Umno branch representative for Flat Tongkang Yard, Fisol Embi and supported by Umno Tanjung Bendahara branch chief, Fazil Hashim, before being unanimously approved by the 497 members present at the conference.
In addition to the Alor Star parliament seat, the division also demanded one state seat, either Suka Menanti or Alor Mengkudu.
When asked about claims that relationships between component parties within Pakatan Harapan (PH) and BN are lukewarm, Zambry said fostering relationships requires both time and the ongoing implementation of specific programmes.
He said the current leadership is already in good condition.
"The directives from our leadership involve implementing actions at the division level, especially in parliamentary areas, and that is what we are doing today, including through regular unity government meetings chaired by the prime minister," he said.