MCA is ready to overcome setbacks they faced in the previous two general elections, said its president Liow Tiong Lai.

He said that the party has been going through a transformation and now is gearing up for the upcoming 14th General Election.

“We have gone through two setbacks (2008 and 2013), and I believe this time, we are ready to overcome it. This is crucial for us,” he said at a press conference after chairing the party’s central committee meeting today.

In the 2008 election, MCA had only managed to retain 15 parliamentary seats out of the same 40 being contested, losing all its parliamentary seats in Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Negeri Sembilan.

As for 2013, the party only secured seven parliamentary seats and 11 state assembly seats, which are considered their biggest setbacks.

MCA will be holding its 64th annual general meeting this Saturday and Sunday. Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is scheduled to officially open the AGM.

Among the topics that will be discussed during the meeting are the party’s election machinery and MCA’s contribution to the people.

On another matter, Liow said that MCA appreciates the budget that was tabled by the prime minister on Friday.

“We believe that the budget will further enhance the country’s economy, empower small and medium enterprises, enhance the digital sector as well as logistics,” said Liow, who is also the transport minister.

-- Bernama