In a podcast hosted by journalist Amin Iskandar released yesterday, Ti said MCA would perform well in Malay-majority areas, especially if it contests against DAP.

The Kuantan MCA chief also argued that Umno was dependent on DAP due to MCA’s lack of seats in Parliament.

“If MCA took on DAP in Pahang today, we would win in many seats,” he said.

He gave the example of the Balakong by-election in 2018, which MCA lost, saying this was because the area was a DAP stronghold.

DAP’s Wong Siew Ki won the poll with 22,508 votes against MCA’s Tan Chee Teong who obtained just 3,975 votes.

“There are seats with many Malays where I feel we can get the Malay vote if we contest under the MCA (logo).

“If we compete with DAP, say in Raub, the majority of Malay votes will go to MCA,” Ti said.

Ti told FMT in May that MCA members were of the view that Umno was favouring DAP. “It seems that MCA is being pushed to the corner and doing what needs to be done in order to survive,” he said.

Ti said MCA’s appeal among the Malays was stronger than that of DAP due to years of built-up suspicion against the Pakatan Harapan component.

“Umno and the Malays are also more comfortable with MCA. We don’t instill hatred,” he said.

Ti also said that the anti-Umno sentiment that once drove Chinese voters towards DAP had faded.

“Voters may give their votes to MCA instead of Perikatan Nasional because MCA is seen as being more accommodative and real.

“We don’t lie or make empty promises. That’s the difference. In terms of credibility, capability, loyalty and sincerity, we have more of all of that than DAP,” he said.