Perak DAP chairperson Nga Kor Ming has chastised MCA for “cheating” the people by using its own logo rather than BN’s in the upcoming Balakong by-election.

According to Malay Mail, he said the move proved MCA had lost faith in BN and was now trying to fool voters into thinking it was no longer part of the former ruling coalition.

“MCA is still under BN, but they did not want to use the BN logo. Instead, they want to use their own logo.

“This indicates two messages: First is that MCA is not confident with BN and second, they use their own logo so that the people will think they are no longer with the coalition,” he was quoted as saying.

“In conclusion, what we can see is that MCA (has) never changed.

“They still have this cheating attitude,” Nga added.

BN lost the federal government for the first time since Independence in the 14th general election. MCA itself is now left with just three seats - one in parliament and two state seats.

Once 13-party strong, the coalition is now left with three members - MCA, Umno, and MIC.

Nga, who is also the Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker, was also reported to have said MCA should quit BN if it wanted to enter the polls with its own logo.

“It’s very clear. I hope the voters can judge by their own in this matter,” he was quoted as saying.

Yesterday, MCA president Liow Tiong Lai announced the party had unilaterally decided to field its own logo for the first time since 1959.

While it remained a part of BN, Liow had said MCA will be focusing its efforts on reforming itself.

"Let me reiterate. BN is already 'ming cun shi wang' (exists in name only, but dead in reality)," he had said.

The Sept 8 Balakong by-election was called following the death of DAP office-bearer Eddie Ng in a car accident on Jul 20.

Nomination day is next Sat (Aug 18), and neither MCA nor DAP have announced their candidates for the seat.