Anti-Ong, Chua banners appear at MCA open house

Infighting within MCA continued to dog the party even on Chinese New Year today, with banners attacking its president and deputy president appearing at the party's open house in Kuala Lumpur.

One banner that greeted arrivees to the party's open house targeted deputy president Chua Soi Lek, mocking him as the 'Sex Hero.'

“Don't gamble away the pride of the Chinese community. We don't want a sex hero. He has already lost his face. We still want ours", read the banner in reference to a scandal over a sex video that emerged of which Chua was an unwitting star.

Party president Ong Tee Keat, meanwhile, was attacked in another banner for being “unable to keep his promise", a possible a reference to his vow to step down if he was voted out during the MCA emergency general meeting that was held on Oct 10 last year.

Yet another banner read: "One cannot keep his promise, the other one has no shame. Don't turn MCA into something unbearable. When will integrity return to MCA?"

The banners, hanging on the overhead bridge and road divider opposite the MCA headquarters on Jalan Ampang, were found by media personnel and party members when they arrived this morning for the open house.

Party workers managed to take them down shortly before the arrival of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin at 10am.

Show of unity

Vice president Liow Tiong Lai - who had broken ranks with Ong after both Ong and Chua decided to bury the hatchet to remain in power - proclaimed his innocence over the banners.

The health minister also criticized the perpetrators for their rudeness on Chinese New Year and violating the spirit of the occasion.

Chua, meanwhile, declined to lend support to any moves to investigate the matter.

"I am a simple man. I don't care (about these things). Let the people judge for themselves."

He also said this was the nature of politics, of which the “sabotage” of people's character was expected.

“"Democracy offers choices to people under the system. But people use a variety of other means to launch personal attacks and acts of sabotage."

During the open house, however, Ong, Chua and Liow seemed unperturbed by the incident, and were models of unity and decorum.

The only noticeable absence this morning was MCA Youth chief Wee Ka Siong.

When queried about this, Liow - who is said to have been Wee's political tag-team partner - said on Wee's behalf that the latter had a Chinese New Year function to attend in Malacca.

Let us start the week with some good Buddhist philosophy...

Lord Buddha was sitting under a banyan tree. One day, a furious Brahman came to him and started abusing him.


The Brahmin thought that Lord Buddha would reciprocate in the same manner, but to his utter surprise, there was not the slightest change in the expression on his face.

Now, the Brahmin became more furious. He hurled more and more abuses at Buddha. However, Lord Buddha was completely unmoved. Actually there was a look of compassion on his face. Ultimately the Brahmin was tired of abusing him.

He asked, "I have been abusing you, but why are you not angry at all ?"
Lord Buddha calmly replied, "My dear brother, I have not accepted a single abuse from you."

"But you heard all of them, didn't you?" The Brahmin argued
half-heartedly.

Buddha said, "I do not need the abuses, so why should I even hear them?"

Now the Brahmin was even more puzzled. He could not understand the calm reply from Lord Buddha.

Looking at his disturbed face, Buddha further explained, "All those abuses remain with you."

"It cannot be possible. I have hurled all of them at you," the Brahmin persisted.

Buddha calmly repeated his reply, "But I have not accepted even a single abuse from you! Dear brother, suppose you give some coins to somebody, and if he does not accept them, with whom will those coins remain?"

The Brahman replied, "If I have given the coins and not needed by someone, then naturally they would remain with me."

With a meaningful smile on his face, Buddha said, "Now you are right. The same has happened with your abuses. You came here and hurled abuses at me, but I have not accepted a single abuse from you. Hence, all those abuses remain with you only. So there is no reason to be angry with you."

The Brahmin remained speechless. He was ashamed of his behavior and begged for Buddha's forgiveness.

Lesson to Learn from This Story:

Inner calmness and peace are keys to a contented life. You know who you are and what you want in life, so don't respond to what person said about you in anger. Control your anger with patience and calmness. That is the biggest strength of a wise man.

Never take some one for granted, hold every person close to your heart because you might wake up one day and realize that you have lost a diamond while you were too busy collecting stones.

Putting up anti -Ong , anti Chua banners during this festive season has done more damage and to their ( Group of 13 ) cause than to Ong and Chua . Btw this effect goes back to them since it was never accepted as in the above philosophy .....they shall reap what they sow ...paticularly the one auspiciously absent .

MCA open house a hit

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin joined well-wishers at the MCA open house at Wisma MCA, as Malaysians celebrated Chinese New Year on Sunday.

They were greeted by two lion dance troupes as they were ushered into the building.

First to welcome them was MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, in a wheelchair after a heel surgery, who waited for them at the entrance.

Najib and Muhyiddin, accompanied by their wives Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and Puan Sri Norainee Abd Rahman respectively, were then ushered into the hall by MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (centre) accepting gifts from MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and wife Datin Seri Jane Ong at the party’s Chinese New Year open house at Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. Looking on are (from left) MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his wife Puan Sri Norainee Abd Rahman, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, and MCA vice-presidents Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen and Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

They then sat at the main table and tossed yee sang together several times to emphasise their wish for a prosperous New Year, the 1Malaysia spirit of unity and good tidings for the MCA.

The guests, including ministers and dignitaries, were also entertained by multi-cultural performances and songs.

MCA leaders, including party central committee members led by MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, sang a Chinese New Year song for Najib and Rosmah.

Najib then joined them on the stage where he was presented with a gift by the leaders.

Scores of people of all races arrived as early as 9am for the open house.

Before leaving at 11.20am, Najib told reporters he hoped the Year of the Tiger would inspire Malaysians to unite through the 1Malaysia spirit.

“This is the year of recovery, when we will build up and strengthen our confidence in the economy and our future,” Najib said.

Ong: Learn to forgive

KUALA LUMPUR: The spirit of forgiving one another should be practised by all Malaysians, said MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.

Ong, who wished everyone a happy and prosperous Chinese New Year, said he had indicated this to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak during MCA’s open house at Wisma MCA on Sunday.

“I indicated to the Prime Minister that this is a good practice as we Malaysians should learn from one another.

“This morning’s celebration is a joyful one as people from all races gathered together at this open house.

“I may have to use a wheelchair for a short while but this will not dim the festive spirit,” said Ong, who is also the Transport Minister.

Ong, who was using a wheelchair following surgery to his heel tendon, did not let his situation stop him from greeting leaders and well-wishers attending the open house.

He said he was touched by the presence of many leaders, especially from Barisan Nasional.

Ong said he also exchanged thoughts with Najib on several main concerns of the Chinese community.

“I am confident the Prime Minister’s 1Malaysia spirit and concept will continue to flourish and more importantly, will continue to be implemented in every part of this land,” he added.

On whether he was surprised to see MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai at the open house, Ong said it was meant for all and “more so, all our leaders.”

Ong also reiterated his call for MCA leaders to put aside differences and unite in the spirit of the festivities.

MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen hoped the party would unite and have a fresh start in the lunar new year.

“Let us put aside all personal agenda and work together for MCA, Barisan and the country,” she said.

Later, Ong also attended open houses at the Gerakan party headquarters, and the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

Gong Xi Fa Cai

Raya Cina sudah mari

Harimau mari, Lembu lari

Balik kampung hati hati

Semua makan satu kali

Minum mabuk whisky brandi

Lepas kentut pasti wangi

Ada kaki terus judi

Kalau menang veli hapi

Hati senang sihat bodi

Harap harap semua jadi

Pakai brand Nike Armani

Jumpa kawan, pachik aunti

Gong Xi, Gong Xi, Ang Pau kasi!

CNY 2010: A challenging time

Our fate , our country's fate and the political turmoil we see today happening in our country , in other countries are all the result of this forth coming " change " . We can bark , shout , curse , to all our adversaries , politicians , is of no use as they are also subjected to this change . So be prepared !

Stanley Koh Saturday, 13 February 2010 08:56 IS there any thing of special significance that's worthy to celebrate for Chinese Malaysians during this Chinese New Year festival which begins on Sunday?

Chinese Malaysians together with millions of overseas Chinese across the globe will be ushering the Lunar New Year, the new moon of the first lunar month.

These are times to be prudent and the mood is expected to be more sombre and quiet. The majority of Chinese Malaysians are expected to celebrate this lunar year with more simplicity as costs of traditional food and fruits have soared, and traditional practices scaled down to suit family budgets and breadwinner’s pockets.

Perhaps, most are also aware that the “white tiger” lunar year is an inauspicious year with astrologers opining that it is going to be a period of probable turmoil, unpredictability associating with death and violence.

As 2010 this year being the year of the 'metal' and 'wood' tiger, Chinese astrology spells this lunar year to be a period of conflict with clashes of “wood-metal”.

Interpretatively and symbolically, the “white tiger” lunar year could bring forth possibility of wars, violence and social unrests.

For optimistic Chinese Malaysians, many have greater expectations of a better year with a positive mindset of improvement, progress, peace and more productivity in personal pursuits.

Another dark cloud?

Will this Chinese lunar year, 4707 (although some maintained that it is the 4708 year) be another dark cloud like the tough and unproductive year of 2009?

Shall we look forward to this coming year with renewed hopes, aspirations or will it end with just wishful thinking as in the past years?

Will it be another year of despair for the nation and pundits predicting doom and gloom coming true?

Can our nation finally move forward? Will the problematic practices of corruption, mismanagement, poor governance and token transformation be changed? Will a principled leadership emerge in dire need that reflects integrity, courage and transparency?

Or will 2010 be a repetitive year of political chaos; a political stage-play of vindictive landscape and the corruptible power play?

There are no ready answers to all these which may or may not happen in the coming year.

In fact, many may not even be aware that the “White Tiger” had actually stalked into 2010 on February 4 last week when the sun entered ecliptic 315 degree position between 9.00 and 11.00am in the celestial heaven.

Clue to optimism

It is of special significance, too, that while the Year of the Tiger comes every 12 years, the year of the “White Tiger” occurs every 60 years since 1950.

And, according to Chinese astrology and history, the “white tiger” year is a symbol of “jinx”. It will be a challenging year.

Marriage rates among the Chinese community will be lower and affect the already overall falling birth rates among Chinese Malaysians.

The other significance is that the Chinese New Year comes late this year because there are 13 lunar months last year in 2009.

It is said that the extra lunar month of the 5th Leap month in 2009 has pushed down the Chinese New Year to the middle of February.

Being one of the four symbols of the Chinese constellations, the “white tiger” is sometimes regarded as a mythological creature, and legend has it that when a tiger reaches 50 years old, its tail will turn white. The white tiger will only appear when the Emperor ruled with absolute virtue.

Yet, there is a clue to optimism, we will most probably not see a white tiger in the country.

Chinese constellations

In the Chinese constellations, the “white tiger” is referred to the “Pleiades” or “M45”, known among astrologers as the “Seven Sisters” (of clustered stars in the celestial heaven) within the constellation of Taurus.

These “stars” are best known and most striking to the naked eye. They were formed during the last 100 million years.

The “Pleiades” (clustered stars) are among the nearest to Planet Earth of all other clustered stars.

Of special significance, this “tiger year” is the way in which Planet Earth will pass near the Pleiades star cluster.

The “Pleiadean” star grouping has special significance to ancient civilisation and, according to astrologers, it is customarily associated with prophecy. But more importantly, it represents the symbolic truth relating to “death”, “ending” or “new birth” and a “new beginning”.

So what does all this mean to the Chinese Malaysians for the coming year?

To know the answer, you have to wait for my next article .

Perhaps, Confucius is correct and wise when he said: “To put the world in order, one must put the nation in order and to do that one must put one’s family in order. To put the family in order, one must first cultivate one’s personal life and for that, one must set one’s heart in the right direction.”

I take this opportunity in wishing all Malaysian Mirror readers a very happy Chinese new year that will bring you and your family more wisdom, happiness and peace of mind.

May this year festive season brings you and family great joy, good health and fortune. Cheers!!!