MCA senior central committee member Tan Yee Kew tendered her resignation letter this morning after 20 years of serving the party.

At a press conference in Klang, the former parliamentary secretary for the Ministry of International Trade and Industries cited disenchantment and frustration with MCA’s leadership as her reasons.

tan yee kew quit mca pc 170708 talking She is the first high ranking MCA member to leave the party after its shoddy performance in the last general elections.

"As a politician with a conscience, I share the people’s frustration of watching the widening gap between the rich and the poor, the permeation of racial disappointment in public policies, the rising corruption and the abuse of power.

"Despite the growing discontent of the people, Barisan Nasional has shown neither the determination nor the commitment to address these problems," she said.

On MCA, Tan said the party’s struggle to defend the interests of the Chinese community often ends with having to ‘concede and compromise’.

This is an obvious an reference to the growing unease among the Chinese to MCA’s seemingly subservient relationship to Umno.

'PKR is a good option'

Apart from that, Tan also expressed her disappointment with the party’s practice of factionalism that breeds constant in-fighting and the alleged condoning of phantom members.

"I had advocated for reforms but I am completely disappointed to witness MCA’s struggles which started in the name of democracy and reform, ending only with a change of leadership and the transfer of power," she said.

Tan was a three-term MP for Klang before being dropped from the candidates list for the 2008 elections. She is also the former MCA deputy wanita chief.

On her future plans, Tan said that various political parties had offered her positions. However, she feels that now is not the right time to disclose her future plans.

Rumours are abound that Tan is set to join PKR. She is expected to be given an offer to chair the Klang Municipal Council.

Asked about this, she replied: "PKR is a good option. (I will however) at the right time announce which party I will move to. But I do feel that PKR is one of the likely parties."