KUALA LUMPUR: MCA's recent achievements in winning two state seats in the Melaka election is no reason to feel complacent, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

       The MCA president said that it should instead become a shot in the arm for all party members and leaders to work harder.

       ''We are certainly happy and relieved now but we cannot be complacent or get too comfortable with our victory.

       ''Our achievements should boost our morale to work harder, as there is more work for us to do in preparation for what is to come,'' he said on Sunday (Dec 19), referring to the next general election.

       Dr Wee was addressing more than 1,200 delegates during the MCA 68th annual general meeting, which took place both physically and virtually this year.

       Also present were other Barisan Nasional component party leaders, including Barisan chairman and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, MIC president Tan Sri S. Vigneswaran and PBRS secretary-general Richard Kastum.

       Thanking voters for returning their mandate to the MCA, Dr Wee said the party's revival began in 2019 during several by-elections following its defeat in the last general election in 2018.

       ''More recently, our resounding victory in the Melaka state election in November 2021 was indeed meaningful to us all.

       ''A solid win with more than two-thirds majority, or 75%, has encouraged us to work harder for the people, as the people have returned the mandate to us.

       ''For MCA, we had lost all the seats in the Melaka state assembly in the previous general election but with the support of voters who had shown their trust in us, we managed to win two seats, the Kelebang and Machap Jaya seats,'' he said.

       With the Barisan spirit and the support of the people, Dr Wee said MCA had successfully won many by-elections.

       ''This proves that Barisan has regained the support and trust of Malaysians,'' he said.

       ''Once again, I would like to record my sincere appreciation to all voters who had voted for Barisan in the Melaka.

       ''I believe the newly elected assemblymen will work hard to fulfil their promises and fight for the people, regardless of their religion, racial and political backgrounds.

       ''I would also like to thank the Barisan election machinery for working tirelessly in ensuring victory for Barisan candidates despite campaigning in the new normal,'' he said.

       Dr Wee added that MCA's internal unity and the unity amongst all Barisan component parties was important in achieving success in the future.

       ''Every sensitive issue and all important decisions are made based on consensus, as this is what we have been practising for a very long time,'' he added.