In 988, DVD Chua takes MCA down in suppressing M'sian civil rights
Same story as Jimmy Chua's Datukships ! DVD definety has his hands in the shit plot !Even before the dust settles on his party’s row with Umno, MCA president Chua Soi Lek has landed in a new scrape and this time he cannot hide his true colors anymore.
In his handling of the 988 fiasco, where the popular Chinese radio station was practically shut down after complaints by industry regulator MCMC, pundits say it is clear Chua has opted to toe the BN line despite his promises to do what is right by the community.
“When it comes to the 30 percent Bumiputera equity, Chua can talk as daring as he likes because he knows Umno will counter and the final decision will never be made by him anyway but by Umno,” PKR vice president Lee Boon Chye told Malaysia Chronicle.
“But when it comes to 988, which is owned by MCA, he can no longer just talk. He has to take action, he has to respond because there is a letter from the MCMC. Then you can see his true colours - by his actions. Straightaway, he sacrifices Chinese interest and also tries to put the blame on the staff at the station.”
On Friday, amid public outcry, Chua said MCA has never interfered in Star RFM, which owns the 988 station. However, MCA watchers immediately shot down his explanation, pointing out that Star RFM is in turn owned by public-listed Star Publications, which also manages flagship daily The Star.
“Chua must think the Chinese are stupid. Who are the largest shareholders in Star Publications, is it not MCA and its related units? Is Chua also saying MCA never interferes in the editorial policy of the Star? He is not only being hypocritical but he is insulting our intelligence,” an MCA member told Malaysia Chronicle.
Crime against Malaysian human rights
But mostly, the move is seen as part of a BN clampdown on the media ahead of the Sarawak state elections expected in October/November and general elections forecast for the latter half of next year.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has since explained it was not responsible for the removal of the 988 staff, but was merely investigating the station for allegedly breaching licence conditions following “several complaints’ on the morning program hosted by Jamaluddin.
But it did not say how many complaints were received, or give any indication as to who the complainants were. Also, while the MCMC denies it asked for the 988 staff to be sacked, a closer look at the letter it issued to the Star also reveals the pressure it can exert on employers.
“Issues relating to staffing of any licensee is an internal matter within the organisation. The MCMC is unable to comment. Any actions taken by the MCMC will be in accordance with the licence conditions for radio stations and provisions under any relevant laws,” it said.
MCA an accessory
Unsurprisingly, pundits have slammed the MCMC for its high-handed action. They also took Chua to task for back-tracking on his promises and accused him of making MCA an accessory to a crime against Malaysian human rights.
“Malaysians have a right to a more open society where people can freely discuss current issues and problems such as racism, corruption and abuses of power. Is the MCMC, Chua and the BN government saying all these do not exist?” PKR leader and human rights lawyer Gooi Hsiao Leung told Malaysia Chronicle.
“The truth is always painful but it needs to come out and the BN should listen if it is sincere in wanting a better future for all Malaysians. The real threat does not come from spontaneous radio talk shows but from suppression by a corrupt elite who only cares about manipulating the nation for their own interest. By toeing the line in the 988 case, Chua is not only acting against the rights of Malaysians but he is making MCA do the same as well."
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This fiasco clearly showed the true face of MCA.
ReplyDeleteIts president and it senior leaders are just insincere people claiming to speak for the Chinese people. Speaking for what? And the supreme council is just made up of sheep.
This is shameful episode and the last shred of respect for MCA is totally destroyed.