PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi must clarify whether the coalition will collaborate with the unity government or partner with Pakatan Harapan in the next general election, says MCA vice-president Datuk Tan Teik Cheng.

Tan said that component parties require leadership and clear direction on this unresolved issue.

On Sunday (June 15), Ahmad Zahid stated that Barisan component parties - including MCA and MIC - would continue to have opportunities to contest in the 16th General Election (GE16).

However, Tan said that his party's leadership has yet to start detailed seat discussions with other Barisan parties.

Tan also highlighted that Zahid's statement about Barisan contesting under its own banner lacks clear direction for the national polls.

"While Ahmad Zahid recently suggested that MCA would have a chance to contest in the upcoming election, it needs clarification because the MCA leadership has not had detailed discussions with other Barisan component parties about seat distribution," he said.

"As MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon rightly noted, MCA has given Barisan over two years since the conclusion of the 15th General Election to recalibrate and set a strategic path forward.

"To date, no decisive plan has been presented to the component parties," Tan added in a statement on Monday (June 16).

He urged that, in the spirit of genuine partnership and unity within Barisan, MCA calls on the Barisan chairman to start a proper consultation process involving all component parties.

"Seat negotiations and electoral strategy should not be determined or announced unilaterally. These decisions should reflect the collective will and consensus of the Barisan coalition.

"The credibility of Barisan moving forward depends on its ability to operate with transparency, inclusiveness, and a shared purpose. To regain the confidence of the people, we must respect coalition leadership principles, which have held us together through decades of service to the nation," he added.

Earlier, Ahmad Zahid emphasised the importance of remembering the contributions and sacrifices of MCA and MIC, particularly during Umno's split in 1987. He stated it would be inappropriate for Barisan to abandon these parties when they are currently facing challenges.