KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - THE main Chinese-based component party in Malaysia's ruling coalition government must adopt a multiracial approach to survive in the new political landscape, one of its top leaders said on Sunday.

The call by Mr Ong Tee Keat, a vice president of the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), comes after the Barisan Nasional's (BN) worst losses in the March polls, with voters backing a more multiracial opposition alliance.

The BN government coalition lost its two-thirds majority in parliament and control of five states to the opposition, with component parties such as the MCA, Gerakan and Indian-led MIC suffering major losses.

'We need to project a multiracial outlook and multiracial approach to handle the people's concerns,' Mr Ong told state news agency Bernama.

Ong, who is also transport minister, said his views could 'raise the eyebrows of the conservative (members) in the party in the name of preserving the orthodox ways.' But he said he was adamant in his stand.

'I am strongly convinced that this is the way out for the party if you really want to keep the party relevant.'

Malaysia's ruling coalition consists of race-based component parties that have ruled the country for the last 50 years. The MCA is the second largest party in that grouping. -- AFP