This comes after a public dressing down he gave the Chinese-based party for failing to attend a BN event in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan, on Tuesday.
The deputy prime minister also said he had spoken on the matter to MCA president Liow Tiong Lai and his deputy, Wee Ka Siong, at a cabinet meeting.
“I am very satisfied with the action taken by the MCA leadership, which has taken my views positively.
“Today, at our function, all MCA leaders and members are here by the droves.
“I wish them syabas and well done for their efforts,” Zahid said at a press conference after opening a “turun padang” (going to the ground) event hosted by the National Registration Department in Kepala Batas here.
Hundreds of Penang MCA members, led by state MCA chairman Tan Teik Cheng, occupied the first few rows of chairs at the event, which was attended by more than 5,000 people at Dewan Milenium.
At the Rembau function, Zahid was upset that MCA did not send any representatives although other BN component parties, such as Gerakan, MIC and myPPP, were present.
“Please show your face here, although we have given you other seats to contest. Help our candidate. You want seats but you do not attend BN programmes.
“You must show respect to seats being contested (by the BN). Don’t say you are busy. I want a stellar record,” Zahid was quoted by Harian Metro as saying.
Liow, in an immediate statement on Tuesday, said it was “inappropriate” to sound off MCA without first finding out the reason.
He said there were no MCA members present as they were not notified of the event.
In explaining his remarks, Zahid said he did not scold the MCA but merely expressed his concern over their non-appearance.
“Maybe at that time they thought their presence was not important. But only after I said something, they came over (like today).
“There was less commitment before but now, there is a drastic change.
“They (MCA) are part of the BN machinery. At any BN machinery event, they ought to be around,” he said.
Asked about Liow being upset over his remarks, Zahid replied: “If he is not happy, if he is not doing anything, then there is something wrong with the response to my statement.
“But he accepted it very well and instructed the party leaders to be proactive and that was proven today.”