KUALA LUMPUR (July 20): Claims that MCA's top leadership was under pressure to leave the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition were fabricated by certain quarters, said BN secretary general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.

He said MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong and secretary general Datuk Chong Sin Woon had confirmed that the claims were baseless.

"MCA has stated that these were merely rumours created by certain parties," Zambry told reporters after officiating the Cheras Umno division meeting here on Saturday.

He said BN continuously holds supreme council meetings, and there's no issues of any party wanting to leave or join the coalition.

Zambry, who is an Umno supreme council member, added that the coalition parties remain united, even in openly discussed political matters.

Local media had reported MCA's denial of the claims, with Chong stating that there were no such discussions within the party's top leadership.

Meanwhile, Zambry mentioned that time and solid cooperation are required to build strong relationships between Pakatan Harapan and BN component parties.

"As we can see today, we are genuinely working well together at the leadership level, and what has been instructed by the leadership is for us to implement this cooperation at the division level, especially in parliamentary constituencies.

"This is what we are currently doing through the unity government meetings, which are frequently held and chaired by the prime minister," Zambry said.

On another note, he stated that Alor Setar Umno’s demand to contest the parliamentary seat in the 16th general election is premature.

The BN secretary general clarified that such sentiments were often raised, not only in Alor Setar, but also in other areas involving Umno, as well as other component parties and BN allies.

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