Fix biased version of History first, MCA tells Education Ministry

By Debra Chong

October 25, 2010

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 — The MCA today urged the Education Ministry to review and mend what it called an “imbalanced” account of the nation’s history in existing textbooks favouring one race and religious civilisation before making the subject a “must pass” in school from 2013.

“MCA has received feedback (or complaints) from parents that the History textbook syllabus tends to predominantly favour a particular race and religious civilisation, while using derogatory terms of ‘pendatang asing’ [foreign immigrants] on other races,” the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition’s Chinese partner highlighted in a media statement today.

MCA deputy publicity chief Loh Seng Kok also noted that newspapers had reported the subject would soon be taught from the primary level onwards — at present it is a core subject only in secondary schools — and would incorporate Article 153 of the Federal Constitution, which touches on the “special position” of the Bumiputeras.

“There are also anxieties of the possibility of misinterpretation where ‘special position’ i.e. a ‘privilege’ maybe taken to read as an ‘automatic right’,” Loh said.

He stressed that the history taught in schools must be objective, rational and impartial to reflect the contributions of the different races and religious groups in the making of multicultural Malaysia.

Loh noted the a five-year review of the school syllabi was scheduled to take place soon and advised the set-up of a multicultural panel to fix the lopsided accounts of the past.

The MCA man said the new syllabi created should be free from influence of any one political group and urged History authors not to “introduce new terms which hint of racial supremacy or inaccurately suggest that vernacular schools impede national unity”.

Loh said such prejudice could be seen in the latest History paper in the PMR, the national assessment examination for Form Three students.

“Any personal conviction held by the authors which can lead to racial resentment and uneasiness must be completely disallowed.

“The Ministry of Education must review and rectify any shortcoming in order to prevent ethnic disharmony in our nation,” Loh stressed, joining a growing chorus criticising the Najib administration’s latest move on education.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also in charge of Education, had recently announced that History would be a “must-pass” subject in the SPM, the national secondary school leaving examination, in addition to Bahasa Malaysia.

The opposition DAP had also demanded Muhyiddin form an independent advisory board to “overhaul” the subject crucial to nation-building efforts.

The national Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) had earlier today slammed the education minister for caving in to pressure from delegates at the Umno annual assembly over the weekend.

“[PAGE] is of the view that this is yet another politically-motivated decision to appease and please Umno delegates at its general assembly, without any thought given to recent policy decisions that have been made by him on education thus far,” the lobby group’s chief, Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, said in a media statement.

MCA is actually right

Let’s hope I don’t get to say ‘I told you so’ after the Galas and Batu Sapi by-elections. Let’s hope the opposition, for once, gets to prove me wrong. I would love to be proven wrong and having to eat my words once the by-election results are in.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

MCA's Wee says Chinese in Galas "actually don't like" Pakatan

(Bernama) - MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong is convinced that voters in the Galas state constituency, particularly the Chinese community, are not easily influenced by the tactics employed by the opposition.

Dr Wee, who is also the Deputy Education Minister, said the Chinese voters were now more mature in choosing leaders in their constituency.

"The Chinese community has made a clear stand that they actually don't like the opposition (PAS) because the party had never been concerned before and had never visited them to give any assistance.”

"The situation is so different with the Barisan Nasional (BN) and MCA leaders showing interest on their living condition and giving immediate aid if necessary," he told reporters after visiting Chinese homes in Kampung Baru, here Saturday.

As such, Dr Wee said the MCA machinery would continue to monitor the tactics of the opposition who tried to incite the Chinese voters to the extent of affecting racial harmony.

The by-election for the Galas state constituency seat is being held on Nov 4 following the death of the incumbent (PAS) assemblyman Chek Hashim Sulaima who died on Sept 27.

*********************************************

What the MCA Youth chief said is actually quite true. And when the government leaders say something that is true we should admit so and not disagree with them just because they stand on the opposite side of the political fence. The Chinese from the three villages in the Galas constituency are very angry with the state government. And this anger has been there for some years now.

The state normally appoints the ketua kampung or village heads as well as the local councillors -- as there are no local council elections as what we from the civil society movements would like to see. Most times these village or council heads would be cronies of those in power. That is sort of how politicians reward their supporters -- by giving them positions in the local councils and villages.

But these Chinese heads of the villages have been behaving like Little Napoleons or warlords (taiko in Chinese). And they have been bullying the Chinese villagers.

For example, in one incident, the Chinese villagers had applied for a piece of land to build their temple. However, since that land is a very nice piece of land the Chinese village head hijacked it for his holiday resort. This has of course angered the Chinese villagers.

Complaints have been made to the state, in particular to Husam Musa, but no action was taken and these gangster village heads continue to terrorise the Chinese villagers. So now it is payback time. The villagers are going to teach the state a lesson by voting for Umno -- whereas it was the Chinese votes that gave that Galas seat to the opposition in the last election.

Then we have the significant number of Orang Asli voters who are very angry that the local council demolished their church and still refuses to allow them to rebuild it even though the court has ruled in favour of the church. No doubt it was the local council that did this and not the state government. However, since the local councillors are selected by the state and not voted into office, the Orang Asli blame the state government.

And this matter is still unresolved. So the Orang Asli may want to teach PAS a lesson by voting for Umno.

Can PAS win the Galas by-election? With Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, the taiko of Gua Musang, leading the charge (which means the Malay votes are in jeopardy) and with the Orang Asli and Chinese both angry with the state, it will be an uphill battle for PAS. And maybe it is good they lose this by-election or else they will not listen when we tell them of the problems on the ground. They will go on thinking that they need not listen to us since they and not us are the politicians (so they know better).

Of course, it is not too late to salvage things but PAS will need to bend over backwards if they want to win back the support of the Orang Asli and Chinese. And, considering that the Malay votes are in jeopardy, it is either they win back the support of the Orang Asli and Chinese or else they will lose the by-election.

The Batu Sapi by-election in Sabah is not any better for the opposition. With a one-to-one contest it is already difficult to beat PBS, especially when the widow of the late candidate is contesting the seat. But in a three-corner fight it will be plain sailing for PBS/Barisan Nasional.

The situation is so hopeless that there are some in DAP who are saying they had better not waste their time by going to Sabah. BN is going to win anyway. Yong Teck Lee of SAPP is going to grab the Chinese votes while Ansari Abdullah of PKR is going to grab the Malay votes. But with the Chinese and Malay votes split, all PBS needs is 40% of the votes to win. And it is not that difficult to win at least 40% of the votes.

The logic of both SAPP and PKR contesting that by-election in a three-corner fight is to see who wins second place. In an election, winning second place means losing because only number one counts. So what is the novelty of winning second place when second place is a loser just like third place?

This is so that they can decide who contests that seat in the coming general election. If SAPP wins more votes than PKR then SAPP will contest that seat in the next election -- and vice versa.

Okay, that may solve Batu Sapi (and I say ‘may’). But what about the 84 other seats in Sabah? There are 25 parliament and 60 state seats in Sabah. They can arrive at a formula for Batu Sapi but what formula are they going to use for the other 84 seats?

Are they also going to contest in three-corner fights in the coming general election for these other 84 seats and then decide, based on who wins number two spot, who should contest that seat come two general elections from now?

What if it is a four-corner or five-corner contest two general elections from now? SAPP and PKR can agree on the formula and shake hands on the matter (and it is only a handshake, mind you, not a sealed contract) but what is there to stop another party other than SAPP or PKR from joining the contest and, again, turning it into a three-corner fight?

This ‘gentleman’s agreement’ thing does not make sense. You can come to an agreement but you can’t control what others do. Someone can always resign from their party and contest the election as an ‘independent candidate’ like what happened back in 2004. So we shall still see a three- or four-corner fight.

The trouble is the politicians always think they know better what they are doing than those of us who ‘comment only’. But then, those of us who 'comment only' always get to say ‘I told you so’ later.

Let’s hope I don’t get to say ‘I told you so’ after the Galas and Batu Sapi by-elections. Let’s hope the opposition, for once, gets to prove me wrong. I would love to be proven wrong and having to eat my words once the by-election results are in.

Low turnout at MCA Youth, Wanita AGMs sparks questions

Low turnout at MCA Youth, Wanita AGMs sparks questions

KUALA LUMPUR - Despite efforts by MCA leaders to consolidate and unite the party, the low turnout at the MCA Youth and Wanita annual general meetings raises questions. If the turnout is any yardstick, it is a sign that all is not well in the party.

The attendance at the MCA Youth AGM was 51 per cent and at the Wanita AGM 56 per cent, much lower than at any previous annual general meeting, particularly in a non-election year.

Some party insiders attribute this to the strong "undercurrents" against the party's top leadership as some Youth and Wanita members are said to be not happy with the respective movements' leadership and several decisions by the top leadership.

Among the decisions are the recommendations for two posts of senatorship for the party, which has not gone down well with some quarters in the party.

The party's central committee had recommended Wanita MCA Secretary-General Chew Lee Giok instead of the movement's chief Datuk Yu Chok Tow as a candidate for senatorship.

Another of the decisions was to extend the senatorship of Khoo Soo Seang for another three years.

The above proposals, which were made in view of the vacancy for two MCA senatorial positions, has riled some members in both movements as they believe other people should be given the opportunity to hold the positions.

"What we see is that they only nominated people who are linked to the party president to hold the positions," said a party insider.

Apart from that, the situation was made worse by a tussle between two groups in the Wanita movement -- one linked to the previous leadership and the other to the current leadership.

However, top leaders of both movements have downplayed the percentage turnout as they regarded it as common since it was not a party election year.

"The turnout could easily hit 80 per cent if the AGM was held in an election year. This is very common," said Yu (left), the Wanita MCA chief.

"This is not the worst. Before, we have had an average of between 29 and 50 per cent turnout. This is normal during a non-election year. Of course, it could be better," said MCA Youth Chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong.

Other leaders believe the low turnout could be related to the Nine Emperor Gods festival on Oct 10 tomorrow as well as many weddings taking place on the auspicious date of 10.10.10.

The Nine Emperor Gods Festival is a nine-day Taoist celebration beginning on the eve of ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar, which is observed tomorrow, primarily in Southeast Asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and also the Riau Islands.

However, for party veteran Datuk Yap Pian Hon, the low turnout also showed that the movement had not regained confidence following its worst electoral performance in the 2008 general election.

"The confidence level among members has not really returned. They have to work out how to regain the confidence in the youth movement, how to ensure the spirit of the political party is reinstalled immediately," he said.

Yap, who is also a former MCA Youth chief and three-term party vice-president, said that even during a non-election year, the turnout at AGMs has been between 60 and 70 per cent.

"However, what is more important is that the meeting is on and it shows that some delegates are still concerned for the party and they turn up at the meeting to show their support," he said. - BERNAMA

Despite the show, all is still not well at the MCA

Despite the show, all is still not well at the MCA

KUALA LUMPUR - The 57th MCA Annual General Assembly was supposed to have shown that things are back to normal in the party and the members are united and consolidating the party after 18 months of turmoil.

The infighting seemed to have been settled after the party held fresh leadership elections in March to end the crisis and Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek was elected as the new president.

Even Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, when officiating at the MCA assembly - for the first time since becoming prime minister last year, commended Dr Chua for his efforts to consolidate and revive the party.

Najib said the current AGM was important and significant because it could be assumed to be a meeting to launch a renewal and rehabilitation of the MCA.

Another sign was the poor attendance - many empty seats

However, things do not seem to be heading that way. For one thing, the central delegates unexpectedly rejected a proposed amendment to give MCA Youth members representation at the party's annual general assembly.

The minor amendment would have allowed a member of the MCA Youth from every branch and division to be a delegate at the general assembly. Currently, only representatives from the Wanita wing attend the assembly.

"The amendment was simple and minor. Nothing controversial, but still the delegates rejected it, first time in history. Why couldn't a small matter like this go through? What is the message?" asked MCA veteran leader Datuk Yap Pian Hon.

Yap, a former youth chief and vice-president, said rejection of the proposal had put the party in a difficult position to attract young members as the party could be perceived as being unwilling to give an opportunity to the young members to move up.

The first indication that things are still not well in the party came on Saturday when a Wanita delegate from Pahang, Khiew Yuh Jiuan, raised the issue of the sex scandal involving Dr Chua.

Her criticism drew applause from delegates at the meeting, indicating that some party members were still unwilling to let go of some issues which bogged them down, and move forward.

In fact, some party members believe that the Wanita delegates had played a major role in rejecting the proposed amendment as they are seen to be unhappy with the MCA Youth proposal to open the youth movement to MCA Beliawanis members currently placed under the Wanita wing.

MCA Beliawanis is a club which was set up to attract professional women below 35 years of age to join the MCA.

Some Wanita leaders have openly questioned the youth movement's motive for such a move and expressed anger that Wanita leaders were not consulted on the matter.

"Wanita MCA has more than 300 central delegates. If you look at today's outcome of the voting, the number of those who voted against the proposed amendment is about the same (number). That's why I believe they have rejected it," said a Wanita delegate.

Whatever it is, some political analysts are of the view that the delegates' rejection of the proposed amendment had somehow indirectly put Dr Chua's leadership in a bad light even though it was due to the unpreparedness of the youth leadership in putting forward the proposal. - BERNAMA

Soi Lek: MCA to go ahead with party election in 2011

Soi Lek: MCA to go ahead with party election in 2011

MCA president Chua Soi Lek says the party will proceed with its election next year despite speculation of a general election in the same year.

Soi Lek vows MCA polls on next year but silent on his presidency

Soi Lek - I will only hold the post for 1 year

Malaysia Chronicle

Amid speculation the MCA's internal elections due next year might be postponed especially if snap general elections are called by Prime Minister Najib Razak, party president Chua Soi Lek insists the MCA's triennial elections will be carried out as scheduled.

However, Soi Lek did not reiterate his previous promise that he would surrender the presidency - an assurance he had given during the MCA's special elections held earlier this year following a no-confidence vote against his predecessor Ong Tee Keat.

“The party election will be due early next year, and by then it would only be 36 months from the March 8, 2008 general election and I don’t see why we should postpone our election,” the Star reported him as saying.

Under MCA's constitution, elections for the national leadership takes place every three years. The last party election was on October 18, 2008. However, due to a massive internal power struggle between factions loyal to Soi Lek and Tee Keat, extraordinary general meetings were held in 2009 and a special vote conducted earlie this year.

Soi Lek beat Tee Keat for the presidency but vowed he would only hold the post for a year and not contest when the triennial-election proper fell due in 2011.

Indeed, speculation has been rife that he may wish to cling to power and pundits had expected that he may use the excuse of a full-blown general election to renege on his word. However, he denied he would.

“If everybody loves the party, we can fight for positions without having to throw chairs, ballot papers or complain of missing names in the delegate list,” Soi Lek said.

No direct elections

Tee Keat vs Chua
Soi Lek also dismissed calls from grassroots for the MCA to hold direct elections soon, whereby each member would be able to vote directly for himself or herself the leader of his or her choice.

Currently, despite having nearly a million members, only 2,400-odd delegates are given the power to vote on behalf of their divisions - giving room for manipulation and corruption.

“Nobody wants direct elections next year. We need to amend the party constitution before it can be carried out. The entire process of amending the constitution, which includes calling an EGM (extraordinary general meeting) to approve the amendments and going to the ROS (registrar of societies) before it can be implemented, will take at least six to eight months,” said Soi Lek.

According to Soi Lek, the MCA's first priority was to close ranks and unite as a party so that it could regain the seats it lost in the next general election. The biggest challenge for MCA was to regain the confidence of the Chinese electorate, he said.

“Everyone said we should spend our time and resources on the general election. Direct elections in the party is meaningless if MCA loses in the general election. Your party position will be a burden to you if MCA lost many seats in the next general election,” he said.

MCA begins its elections at the branch level, usually around March, before proceeding to the division and national levels, and the entire process takes about four months. Its Youth and Wanita wings also have elections in the same year.

With Tee Yong, MCA also cops out on Umno-Perkasa

With Tee Yong, MCA also cops out on Umno-Perkasa

Father's balls got squeeze , son has to " go stand " and make himself look like an idiot to save the father's balls from being squeezed .

Brilliant guy ? No , just like any potato you can buy off the streets !

Chua Tee Yong

Wong Choon Mei, Malaysia Chronicle

Chip-off-the-old block Chua Tee Yong, whose dad is MCA president Chua Soi Lek, has drawn ridicule and sharp rebuke from Pakatan Rakyat leaders for "excusing away" Prime Minister Najib Razak’s U-turn on ultra-Malay rights group Perkasa.

“This is a shocking statement coming from Labis, considering he is an MCA lawmaker who should understand and empathize with the feelings of the Chinese community rather than with Najib Tun Razak,” PAS chief strategist Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad told Malaysia Chronicle.

“It is a confirmation of what we have been warning all along. The BN is in trouble. Their components and their leaders are not able to grapple with issues that dominate the current times. They are not able to transition into new politics and debunk racism and religious bigotry, which is what the majority of Malaysian people are now demanding.”

Perkasa reflects the larger portion of the mindset in Umno

Dad Chua Soi Lek

Tee Yong, a 30-year old accountant, was given the opportunity to contest the Labis seat in the 2008 general election following his father’s resignation over a sex scandal. Soi Lek was once a high-flying Health minister before his downfall. However, he managed to make a comeback in the MCA special polls held earlier this year. His is now party president without a Cabinet portfolio and has promised not to seek re-election in the MCA 2011 polls.

Nonetheless, the father-and-son team stirred further controversy when in June 2010, Najib appointed Tee Yong a deputy minister in the agricultural ministry. The appointment was made on Soi Lek’s recommendation, which created unhappiness in the MCA as it reeked of nepotism. MCA watchers believe the move was a fatal political step, predicting Soi Lek would surely be ousted if he reneged on his word and contested next year, unless he won support from Najib’s Umno.

“Can it be that Chua Tee Yong is naïve like his father Chua Soi Lek and both men cannot see that Perkasa is an out-sourced extremist unit for Umno? In reality, Perkasa reflects the larger portion of the mindset in Umno and that is why Najib had to flip-flop,” PKR vice president Lee Boon Chye told Malaysia Chronicle.

“He and Muhyiddin are actually the same, they support Perkasa. Just that to keep the non-Malay vote from disappearing completely, Najib has to come out with 1Malaysia. But notice how it can never be implemented. There is always a flip-flop because the political will to reform is not real.”

Difficult for Umno

In an interview with Malaysian Insider, Tee Yong had professed sympathy for the Umno decision to reconcile with Perkasa after a showy parting of ways.

“It is difficult for Umno because, being a Malay party, they tend to get related to the Malay NGO, so it is wrong for them to totally disregard them,” Tee Yong was reported to have said.

“That is your view that Perkasa has a large support base. We do not know that for sure, do we? But they are not a party and they do not go for votes so it is not fair to say that. What about the WWF (World Wildlife Foundation)... they too are an NGO. Should we say, then, that they have the support of all the people? We cannot assume. I maintain that we are giving Perkasa too much prominence... if they are a political party, for arguments’ sake, then maybe you have some bearing to say this.”

PAS' Dr Dzulkefly

On September 8, Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan started the brouhaha by saying: “As a secretary-general I can tell you, we have nothing to do with Perkasa, and certain things Perkasa is doing we are not happy with because they are eroding our support. When they talk about my Chinese friends or my Indian friends, they make us lose more votes.”

His comments were hailed by MCA, MIC and Gerakan but former premier Mahathir Mohamad condemned the move as “suicidal” for Umno.

Despite Tee Yong’s effort to downplay the Umno-Perkasa reconciliation and its implications on the BN and Malaysia's multiracial society, MCA secretary general Kong Cho Ha had said in a statement on September 9:

"MCA welcomes the comments by various UMNO leaders in distancing themselves from the racist espousals of Perkasa led by its chairman Dato’ Ibrahim Ali by acknowledging that such association with Perkasa would lead to UMNO’s erosion of support.

"Meanwhile, we regret to read the remarks by a prominent public figure who claims that UMNO needs backing from Perkasa if it does not want to risk Barisan Nasional losing support. BN does not consist of only one political party, but is an alliance which comprises various political parties representing all the ethnic groups in Malaysia. Hence, BN thrives on the support rendered by every race, not only from the Malays."


But on September 18, Najib threw a spanner in the works by suddenly saying: “No, we do not want to be in conflict with any NGO. It (Perkasa) is just like any other NGO. We have so many NGOs. There are times we can agree, and there are times we cannot agree. No, I do not want to refer specifically to anyone.”

On September 19, Tengku Adnan duly denied his earlier remarks: “I didn’t even ask members of Umno to relinquish their relationship with Perkasa. It was totally blown out of proportion by Ibrahim Ali. When we had a meeting with BN secretaries-general, we never talked even a little bit that we wanted to distance ourselves from anybody. Our policy is to be close with everybody. We should even go and approach opposition members and explain what our policies are because they are misguided.”

With Tee Yong’s remarks, the MCA is the second BN component to cop out on the ‘sensitive’ Umno-Perkasa reconciliation. Gerakan president Koh Tsu Koon was the first, refusing to give reporters direct answers and insisting that Najib's 1Malaysia slogan was still intact despite the PM's refusal to carry out the plan to jettison Perkasa and build a fresh political mandate for BN.

Nazri attacks Umno, MCA, even DPM but is he speaking for PM?

Nazri attacks Umno, MCA, even DPM but is he speaking for PM?

Wong Choon Mei, Malaysia Chronicle

Outspoken Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nazri Aziz raised eyebrows when he took to task several Cabinet colleagues more senior than himself over the Umno-MCA row but pundits said unless he was speaking for his biggest boss – PM Najib Razak – it was just more hot gas from a struggling BN coalition.

“It is about time Najib broke his silence on this fight, which has become a bit personal especially the insults coming from from Perkasa, which everyone knows is a branch of Umno’s,” PKR vice president Sivarasa Rasiah told Malaysia Chronicle.

“In particular, we are disappointed in the way Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin rushed to attack MCA for stepping on Malay rights but completely turns a blind eye when a school principal in Johor said the Indians were like dogs and the Chinese should go back to China.”

What sort of message is BN trying to send

Of late, racial and religious rows have erupted with increasing frequency as Umno leaders searched for ways and means to contain their arch rivals from Pakatan Rakyat. Sweet overtures have been made over and over again to PAS and each time the Islamist party has flatly rejected any form of connection, dashing Umno's hopes for an easy solution to stay in power.

Ruthless methods were also used to roil PKR and DAP with defections and trumped-up corruption charges, but these have largely backfired, especially after over-zealous scheming resulted in the death of a Selangor political aide last year.

The latest Umno-MCA squabble over Bumiputera quotas has gotten so intense it sparked fears that Najib might launch another crackdown on the opposition, similar to the 1987 Operasi Lalang, where 117 dissidents were arrested and many opposition leaders jailed under the Internal Security Act. Twenty-three years ago, Najib was the Umno Youth chief and he had played a key role in the swoop.

On Thursday, Nazri appeared to be offering an olive branch to a Malaysian public, fed up with the endless racial polemics that typify the BN parties especially Umno. Business leaders and academicians have even stepped out of their comfort zone to urge Najib to put an end to public slugfest between Muhyiddin, Perkasa and MCA president Chua Soi Lek.

“I realise now why there is so little respect for politicians - because they say one thing and then they do another. I do not blame all of you if you have no respect for politicians. Sadly, I belong to this group,” Nazri told a press conference on Thursday.

“How are we going to convince the people that we stand together under the 1 Malaysia concept when we fight each other in public? I certainly do not condone this and I think it is not good for the BN. In public, you say we are 1Malaysia and then you say we are the BN and we have a spirit of our own and then later, you show that that you are quarrelling. What message are you giving to the public?”

Everyday that Najib dithers is a day lost for Malaysia

1Malaysia is Najib’s prized platform announced when he took power in April last year. According to the Government Transformation Programme approved by the Cabinet and published in December 2009, 1Malaysia is defined as a nation where, it is hoped, every Malaysian perceives himself or herself as Malaysian first, and by race, religion, geographical region or socio-economic background second.

Nonetheless, pundits say Najib will have to do better than passing messages through Nazri if he wants to be taken seriously by the public.

"Everyday that he dithers is a day lost for Malaysia. But I don't think he will be able to come out from his shell," a political analyst who asked not to be named told Malaysia Chronicle..

"His enemies - and I am talking about the ones in Umno not Pakatan - are just too powerful. All he can do is just hold on until the next general elections, and after that, depending on whether Mahathir is still around or not, God help Malaysia."

Related Stories:
Pakatan: The real saboteurs of 1Malaysia are in Umno not us
Another Operasi Lalang? But will what worked in 1987 work in 2010...
Only way for MCA, Gerakan to teach Umno respect is to leave BN

Only way for MCA, Gerakan to teach Umno respect is leave BN

Only way for MCA, Gerakan to teach Umno respect is leave BN

Wong Choon Mei, Malaysia Chronicle

As civil society leaders and business groups call on Prime Minister Najib Razak to stop the public wrangling between MCA and Umno, pundits are privately betting it is a waste of time and the only way to teach Umno a lesson is for BN components like MCA and Gerakan to leave the coalition.

“The time has come to put or shut up. Too many hurtful things have been said by the likes of Utusan, Perkasa and even Muhyiddin himself. If Najib steps in now and they all do a group hug and make up, it only confirms what everyone is thinking - stop the sandiwara,” PKR strategic director Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.

Indeed, in the past few days the Umno-owned Utusan and Perkasa have gone on rampage, flinging one insult after another at MCA president Chua Soi Lek. They jeered to his face - the so-called leader of the Chinese community in this country - and joked about his sex DVD past, mincing no words in calling him a pornographic actor.

Who can beat Umno at the race-championing game

Perhaps Soi Lek deserved a lot of the mudslinging for trying to beat Umno at the race and religious-championing game. But even so, he and his 78 newly-hired cyber-troopers must have been rattled by the ferocity of the Malay onslaught.

It is time that MCA and Gerakan leaders - cushioned by decades of privileged high government office - realize that this is the sort of treatment ordinary man-in-street non-Malays experience on a daily basis, whether directly or indirectly.

Malaysian society has changed since independence in 1957 and the transformation has been for the worse. In 1957, the world was Malaysia’s oyster. In 2010, there are just 9 years to go before our coffers go bust and we end up bankrupted by the excesses and the corruption of the BN elite.

Whoever speaks up for Malaysia will not be from Umno-BN

William Cheng, the president of the Chinese commercial grouping ACCCIM, was the latest to urge Najib to speak up.

“If every day they quarrel - federal government and the state government, even the state government itself internally has problems, then among the Barisan also quarrel, between the Chinese, Indian, Malay also quarrel - then who wants to come to Malaysia? Government should put a stop to this,” said Cheng.

His observation is astute and naive at the same time. Quarrels that drain both public and investor confidence are erupting on a daily basis but the “Government” will not be putting a stop to it. If anything, the “Government” is actively fanning the fire, sowing the seeds of racial and religious hatred in order to cling to power.

A patriot Cheng may be, but he must acknowledge that throughout the nation's 53-year history, it is exactly this sort of divide-and-rule race-based politicking that has typified Malaysia's “Government”. Without these policies of hatred, Umno would have to reinvent itself, a task that will surely too strenuous for it - accustomed as it is now to the good and easy life.

Umno weakness much greater than expected

A two-party or multiparty system is now inevitable in Malaysia - not really because of the Pakatan’s strength but more so because of Umno’s own shocking weakness. In the current times of stress, it has shown itself to be much weaker than anyone had ever expected or feared.

“They have demonstrated once again that they are incapable of uniting the nation, behaving maturely and responsibly,” PAS MP for Shah Alam Khalid Samad said.

The political pundits are right. There is nothing left for Soi Lek and Tsu Koon to lose. If they are sincere, they should withdraw now and take their followers to safe and higher ground. Otherwise, the Pakatan Rakyat will steamroll through their territory and make a clean sweep.

There is no such thing as “it is not so simple as you think”. It is really quite simple and was done spontaneously by Yong Teck Lee’s SAPP in 2008. In 2010, let it be Soi Lek and Tsu Koon who lead the way - not just for the non-Malays but also for the Malays.

Truly, more than the Chinese, Indians, Kadazan-Dusun-Murut and other races in this country, it is the Malays who need to be saved the most from Umno, Utusan and Perkasa.

Perkasa attack MCA, Gerakan

Perkasa attack MCA, Gerakan

Wong Choon Mei, Malaysia Chronicle

Malaysia's ruling coalition BN looks headed for an implosion as Prime Minister Najib Razak's Umno party yanks at one partner after another, either directly or through its mouthpieces Perkasa and MPM, in a last-ditch bid to win support from the Malay community, its only hope following the rise of Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim's multiracial Pakatan Rakyat.

The latest non-Malay BN leader to get a dose of Umno and Perkasa vitriol was Gerakan president Koh Tsu Koon. After a long 'silence', Koh finally found the temerity on Sunday to call on notorious government enforcements agencies MACC, Customs and Inland Revenue to go after the big fish and not just small traders.

But it was a little too little, a little too late for Koh, whose political timidity has earned him a mere 1 percent approval rating according to a recent opinion poll. And pundits say this may be why Umno has decided to go after him 'next'. In the past month, it was the MCA and its “sex video actor” president Chua Soi Lek. Now, it looks like it's Tsu Koon’s turn to receive the full barrage of Umno-Perkasa insults.

“Whoever does not respect the social contract which is (Article) 153 of the Constitution can get out of this country. Go back to the place of their forefathers, do not become hypocrites,” Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali was reported as warning Tsu Koon, the minister in the Prime Minister's department in charge of KPIs.

Ibrahim was miffed because Tsu Koon had said it was better if Perkasa focused on the welfare of the Malays rather than wrangle over their 30 percent equity target with MCA. As for Soi Lek, he attracted the Perkasa chief's insulting sex-video-actor comment after urging the Home Ministry to reverse a ban on the use of the word Allah by non-Muslims.

So ludicrous and extreme have Perkasa and MPM become in their demands that few Malaysians bother with their 'hot gas' anymore. They have even begun to irritate the Malays, whom they profess to champion. So too has the Umno-controlled media, in particular Utusan, for its outrageously racial rhetoric and fabrications that have made it a magnet for expensive defamation lawsuits.

“Perkasa and MPM have to keep on trying to grab attention in order to justify their relevance. But they lack finesse and the way they attack annoys people. We are not bothered with them. But what is interesting is the low esteem Umno is showing MCA and Gerakan,” PKR Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Akin told Malaysia Chronicle.

“It is obvious Umno has no confidence MCA and Gerakan will be able to retain any of their seats. That’s why Soi Lek and Tsu Koon are getting kicked in the backside every day. Soi Lek is now so scared of Umno he has backed off from his 30 percent equity proposal. Both he and Tsu Koon have become the laughing stocks of the country."

The curtains for Tsu Koon and Soi Lek

Indeed Ibrahim’s Perkasa now wants Soi Lek to be arrested for proposing to Prime Minister Najib Razak that the 30 percent Bumiputera equity target be reduced gradually. The proposal was one of the keys resolutions in a 13-point memorandum submitted by MCA to Najib at a high-profile economic congress but Soi Lek has now backtracked, insisting it was just his personal view and not a request.

“Chua Soi Lek, through the resolutions passed during the MCA Chinese Economic Congress, had caused much distress and worry among the Malays in this country. Chua Soi Lek should be placed under the ISA for making these unwarranted demands. If MCA continues like this, we will not vote for any MCA candidates in the coming general election,” Perkasa economic bureau director Zubir Harun told reporters.

Against such Umno bombast, even though unleashed indirectly through Perkasa, it is unlikely that Tsu Koon’s call to the MACC, Customers and Inland Revenue to buck up will be heeded by them or by anyone else in the country at all.

“Action against one big fish is probably better than action against 1,000 small fish,” Bernama had reported Tsu Koon as saying.

But big fish or small fish, the biggest losers are Tsu Koon, Soi Lek and their respective parties. Pundits do not expect either MCA or Gerakan to retain any of their parliamentary seats in the next general election, widely expected to take place after March 2011.

“It looks like the curtains for both men. Their political careers are as good as over because their credibility has been destroyed - not by Pakatan but from the daily caning given by Umno. It is obvious to all that Umno has no confidence in MCA, Gerakan or MIC,” PKR strategic director Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.

“Umno is putting all their eggs in the Malay basket and that’s why Tsu Koon and Soi Lek have to be the punching bags so that Umno can be the hero to the Malays. The BN is already finished.”

Read also: Najib speaks up on MCA-Umno row, spelling doom forMalaysia...

MCA desperate but unlikely to quit BN, say analysts

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:42

By Patrick Lee and Teoh El Sen

PETALING JAYA: The apparent shift in the mindset of MCA as evidenced by its bold call for economic liberalisation shows that it is desperate for political survival, say analysts.

One even believes that the party may leave Barisan Nasional as a result.

“There is a definite possibility of that (quitting the BN), although it would depend on the results of the next general election,” said Ong Kian Ming, University College Sedaya International (UCSI) political analyst.

“The same goes for MIC and Gerakan. If they continue to be bullied by Umno, they might just leave.”

However, several others were sceptical about MCA taking a bow from the coalition.

“Almost all of them (MCA leaders) have government positions,” said James Chin, political analyst at Monash University Kuala Lumpur.

He added that if these leaders pulled out of the BN, they would have to concede their positions as well.

“The role of the MCA is to provide a Chinese voice in the government,” Chin told FMT, adding that if the party were to leave BN, then it would have no place in Malaysian politics.

UIA law professor Abdul Aziz Bari said it was unlikely that MCA would leave the coalition, or even survive if they do.

"I don't see them leaving. Would it make any difference? I think if they left, it would be even worse. They survived because of Umno. I don't see the logic of MCA leaving,” he said.

However, MCA's actions may have put them in a Catch-22 situation. Said Abdul Aziz: "Until and unless MCA is prepared to leave the BN, people are not going to believe a word they say."

Khoo Kay Peng, an independent analyst, said that MCA is not in tune with the Malaysian Chinese psyche.

“All the Chinese want is to be treated as equal citizens, or be given equal rights,” he said, adding that 70% of Malaysian Chinese doubted MCA's ability to perform.

“It is all a show. MCA already has a problem of credibility,” said Abdul Aziz. “From the PKFZ (Port Klang Free Zone) scandal to (MCA president) Chua (Soi Lek) putting his own son in charge of MCA property, these things have failed to impress the community.”

MCA may just lose in the general election

Ong also said that Chua was playing a dangerous game, and this could cause the party the next general election.

“Chua may win marginal votes from the Chinese (community), but would end up losing from the Malay majority seats,” he said.
“They would be lucky if they could even hold on to half (of the parliamentary seats they have now).”
Added Khoo: “MCA is very confused... ”

“If you put them in a spot where they had to choose between their business interests and their political principles, they would choose to protect their business interests.”

“Chua is trying to reposition MCA as a Chinese voice in the BN,” said Chin. “It doesn't matter what resolutions MCA tries to pass,” he said, adding that any socio-economic change was dependent on Umno.

Hosted by the MCA, Saturday's Chinese Economic Congress saw 13 resolutions passed, including the call for the gradual removal of the 30% Bumiputera equity, and the participation of non-Malays in government-linked companies.

The outcome of the meeting was met with sharp criticism by many Umno leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who warned MCA of going against Malay interests.

Muhyiddin's May 13 'boo' fails to spook MCA

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 18:07

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid

KUALA LUMPUR: With the gates of hell having opened, and the Chinese community celebrating the Hungry Ghost Festival, Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin's attempt to raise the May 13 spectre has failed to send a chill down MCA's spine.

On the contrary, the move had incurred the wrath of the Chinese party and earned the Barisan Nasional second-in-command a reprimand.

Stopping short of describing him as someone trapped in antiquity, MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek reminded Muhyiddin that much had changed since 1969.

"MCA is disappointed with the deputy prime minister and Umno deputy president for raising the spectre of the May 13 incident," he said in a statement today.

"The socio-economic condition in Malaysia today is totally different from 1969 as Malaysians are capable of having rational discussions without beating the racial war drum," he added.

Muhyiddin had warned the BN component party not to step out of line when the MCA-organised Chinese Economic Congress called on Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's administration to open up the economy to more non-Malay participation.

The deputy prime minister said the demand could be seen as a challenge to the position of the Malays in the country, and could fuel their anger.

He reminded MCA that it was a similar spark which ignited the May 13, 1969 racial riots that had left scores dead.

'We did not question Malay rights'

Meanwhile, Chua said the only way for the Malaysian economy to survive in a globalised world was to ensure that the economy was competitive and vibrant through "liberalising sectors such as oil and gas as well as telecommunication, rationalising subsidies and opening tenders with price preference to Bumiputeras".

He also denied that MCA had questioned the special position of the Malays.

"At no time, we talked about the special rights of the Malay community. We reaffirm that affirmative actions should be based on needs, merits and be market-friendly.

"We advocate that Bumiputeras should be given price preference in certain economic sectors when the economy is liberalised for open tender,” he said.

“To enable the Bumiputeras to compete on a more equitable basis, we propose for the gradual reduction of the 30% Bumiputera equity and the introduction of price preference," he added.

'Don't question our loyalty'

MCA had been ruffling the feathers of Umno and Malay rights groups like Perkasa since it radicalised its approach in an apparent bid to regain lost Chinese support.

Chua argued that the outcome of the last general election which saw BN perform dismally signalled a need for change and MCA must follow suit to remain relevant.

The president also hinted that MCA would even be willing to take on Umno in order to champion the interest of the community.

He also did not rule out the possibility of sharing the same stand with opposition party DAP on issues which benefitted the Chinese.

However, Chua stressed that MCA's position had not affected its loyalty towards the ruling coalition.

"The loyalty of MCA should not be questioned as it has gone through good and bad times when Umno suffered setbacks. Back then, MCA delivered support to ensure victory in the elections.

"All we ask for is fair share. Rest assured, MCA has no plans or interest to deprive other communities of what is rightfully theirs," he said.

DPM warns MCA on Bumi equity

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 21:33

By Patrick Lee

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today criticised MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek for questioning the 30% Bumiputera corporate equity.

“In the Barisan Nasional, we all have the same stand when it comes to issues about racial interests. This is not a new concept,” Muhyiddin said.

“If MCA wants to fight for the interests of the Chinese, then it should not go against the interests of the Malays. That is only fair,” he said after attending a function at a mosque here.

He was commenting on the 13 resolutions passed at Chinese Economic Congress on Saturday, which call for the gradual removal of the Bumiputera equity, as well as the participation of non-Malays in government-linked companies.

The congress, organised by the MCA, said that these bold reforms were needed to liberalise the economy further.

Chua today reiterated that his party will push hard for the implementation of the 13 resolutions passed at the congress.

However, he came under criticism from Muhyiddin for failing to recognise the plight of the Malays/Bumiputera.

“The 30% target that was set by the New Economic Policy (for the Malays) has not yet been achieved,” Muhyiddin said.

“This (30%) is not a very big number, considering that the Chinese already command more than 40% of the country's resources,” he said. “(In comparison), the Malays only command 18% or 20%”.

He added: “We must understand that in order to uplift the Malays (Bumiputera), we will have to continue with the New Economy Policy until the 30% threshold is achieved.”

“If the Chinese share was reduced from 40% to 20% after it was taken by the Bumiputeras, then I would understand,” he said, adding that while the Chinese have progressed, the Malays did not.

“How can the Malays be expected to rise (economically) if they're looked at from such a narrow point of view?”

“Chua should know that the Malays are not developed yet,” Muhyiddin said, adding that the MCA president should not create anger, especially when talking about the sensitivities of a certain race.

“Whatever MCA does, it has to remember that it still is a component party of the BN. We have principles that we have to stand by,” Muhyiddin added.

“I don't believe the MCA would want to sacrifice the friendship and the cooperation that it gained within BN.”

He also reminded everyone not to play up racial issues, saying that people should not forget the 1969 riots which had caused much suffering.

Umno-MCA war: Utusan begins assault on MCA

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:26

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid

KUALA LUMPUR: The rumble between Umno and its Chinese allies in the Barisan Nasional has escalated, with the Umno-linked newspaper Utusan Malaysia dedicating pages of articles focused on flaying the MCA following its bold calls for economic liberalisation.

The MCA-organised Chinese Economic Congress last Saturday passed 13 resolutions, with some touching on sensitive policies such as calling for the gradual removal of the 30% Bumiputera corporate equity, and increased participation of non-Malays in government-linked companies.

This forced Umno's top leaders to retaliate, with its deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin and vice-president Hishammuddin Tun Hussein warning MCA to stick to the ruling coalition's struggle and principles.

But MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek will not barge, arguing that Umno's old ways of doing things and the failure by the Malay party to recognise its weaknesses will only lead to MCA's demise.

In an apparent retaliation against MCA and its president, Utusan published stinging articles with venomous headlines like "MCA's demands are ungrateful", "Don't play with fire" and a half-page column urging the Chinese party to tow the line.

There was also an article seemingly aimed at fanning racial sentiments when it attacked Chua's statement yesterday that MCA will have no qualms sharing similar stance with the DAP for the benefit of the electorate.

No space was given to Chinese voices on the issue.

In the column entitled 'Hormati sepakatan sedia ada' (Respect the current pact), the writer dismissed the demands by MCA and its readiness to stand on the same ground as the DAP as "immature". She also described the DAP as rogues who are disrespectful of the Malays.

There was also a clear intention to drive a wedge between PAS and the DAP and instigating racial sentiments in the article when the writer said the Chinese-based party in Pakatan Rakyat is the stumbling block to PAS' Islamic state aspirations.

"Just look at the demands made by the Chinese Economic Congress. Among its demands is that the government gives licences to F class contractors based on merits and not race. Doesn't Chua Soi Lek know that the majority of F class contractors are Bumiputeras whose livelihoods depend on Chinese suppliers... in this context, who are the kings of the economy if not the Chinese?" wrote the writer.

Several parts of the column condemned the MCA and Chua for being "insensitive" to the "economic plight" of the Malays and also rebuked them for being unable to comprehend the idea of "just and equitable economic distribution".

Malays have been tolerant enough

Chua, a former health minister, had also said that MCA, which is drastically losing support, must change its ways to stay relevant among the voters and is resolved to regain their trust no matter what the risks are.

The articles in Utusan harped on this. Many called the shift of paradigm in MCA's battle for voters "arrogant" and bordering on extremism, with total disregard for the Federal Constitution which enshrines Malay special positions in the country.

"Are there no other ways for MCA to win back Chinese support? Why are they making the Malays the scapegoat?

"The fact of the matter... is that everytime there is a new demand that corrodes the special position of the Bumiputeras that has been agreed upon, the feelings... of the Bumiputeras especially the Malays are hurt.

"The fact of the matter is that the Malays have long been tolerant up to the point where some would say: 'Never mind that some of the citizens can't even speak the national language as long as we live in peace and harmony," read the column.

The assaults by Utusan and the warnings by Umno have now placed MCA in a fix: it risks straining relations with the Malay party, the ruling coalition's lynchpin, or be labelled as cowards and lose more Chinese support if it backs down on its demands.

Either way, the opposition, particularly the DAP, would be ready to exploit the worsening tension between the two in the battle for Chinese votes and these are testing times for the 61-year-old MCA.

Also read:

DPM warns MCA on Bumi equity

MCA-Umno tension worsens with Chua joining the fray

MCA plays its own racial-religious card, picks on the ulama

MCA plays its own racial-religious card, picks on the ulama

Malaysia Chronicle

Even as another Muslim group lashed out at MCA president Chua Soi Lek for insulting Islam, the party has stepped up its scare-mongering efforts to get the Chinese community to reject Islamic leadership.

“We have given him 14 days to withdraw his unfounded insults against Islam. He should not have been so provocative in the way he presented his views,” PKR supreme council member Badrul Hisham Shahrin told Malaysia Chronicle.

Badrul had led members of the Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia, a youth rights NGO, to submit a memorandum of protest to Chua at Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

If Chua fails to withdraw his remarks, Badrul warned SAMM would organize nationwide protests against him.

Hidden motive

This is not the first warning that Chua has received over the issue. Ultra-Malay rights group Perkasa has even called him a "sex video actor".

Last week, the MCA chief hit the headlines when he accused Umno and PAS of playing the religious card to chase for Malay votes and in the process undermined the country’s economic growth.

Quoting from the book Malaysia and the Club of Doom, Chua also told an MCA convention in Kedah that Muslim nations tended to be backward both economically and socially because of their focus on religion.

Nonetheless, Muslim leaders in the country were upset. They said even though Chua was quoting from a book, that did not absolve him from responsibility and demanded a retraction.

"There is a hidden motive for him to suddenly refer to the book and to use only the passages that support his motive," said Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Picking on the ulama

But Anwar’s words went unheeded. MCA leaders continued on their rampage in a bid to win back Chinese voters who have been deserting them for the Pakatan Rakyat.

"To win back the Chinese support is not difficult, so long as we can explain to them what the 'alternative' of the opposition pact is all about. As an example, no leader from PKR or DAP could become the prime minister,” Bernama quoted Fong Chan Onn, chairman of MCA think-tank INSAP, as saying.
.
Fong went on to rail at the religious leaders who formed the core of the PAS central leadership.

"Even the people have said that PAS in Kelantan has treated the Chinese there well, but the fact remains that the ulama are still behind the running of the state administration,” said Fong.

"So, if PAS wants to rule Malaysia, it would likely adopt a similar model, such as in Iran, where the ulama influence the running of the state. Will the Chinese be comfortable with that kind of model?"

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MCA not ready for snap polls, says Soi Lek
Monday, 05 July 2010 00:00
KUALA LUMPUR - The MCA, the second largest Barisan Nasional component party, is not ready to face a snap general election, at least for the next three months, party president Dr Chua Soi Lek said Monday. He said the MCA had yet to recover fully after a bruising one-and-a-half years of internal crisis, adding that he needed at least six months to one year to stabilise the party. In an interview with Bernama, Chua said the party needed to ensure that there was "unity in purpose", particularly in terms of achieving "our common political agenda". "In politics, I have learnt to accept the fact that nothing is impossible (on a possible snap election soon) but, if you ask me, I feel it is unlikely," he said when asked to comment on speculation that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak may call an early general election. Before facing the 13th general election, which is due in 2013, Chua said the BN should first make some changes to the current concept of power-sharing in order to suit the times. Chua, who took over the party's helm this year, said it was not correct to say that the BN had not made changes but added that the changes had been perceived as minor and more improvement was necessary. Politcal situation complex Asked if the BN would make enough changes in time for the next general election, Chua pointed out that he sincerely believed that Najib had the political will to make the changes. Asked if the government should accommodate all the wishes of the party and the Chinese community in order to win back the community's support, Chua answered "yes" and "no". He pointed out that the political situation in Malaysia was complex, saying that it would be politically naive to think that the opposition pact would fulfill all the expectations and needs of the Chinese community if it came to power. "A government in power needs to balance the needs of all the races. The BN government should be seen to be fair and democratic. Decisions made should be more transparent and which the people can accept," he said. He said the government should not only say the right things but also do the right things and, only by doing so, would it be able to win the support of the multiracial society in the country. On the party election next year, he said it would proceed unless the party's powerful decision-making body decided against it. Prolonged party internal crisis The MCA usually holds its party election once every three years – from the branches, divisions and up to the central leadership. After the party polls in 2008, the next one was supposed to have been held in 2011 but was held earlier, in March this year, due to the prolonged party internal crisis. "It (party polls) should proceed next year because we don't know when the general election is ... unless the CC (Central Committee) is against it (the party polls)," he said. On whether the party would introduce direct presidential election such as being planned by Umno, Chua said most of the members were not in favour of making changes due to time constraint. "If you make changes to the party election system, you need at least eight to 10 months as you need to call an EGM (Extraordinary General Meeting) and later submit the changes for approval by the ROS (Registrar of Societies). "Some also feel that we should not be diverted to discuss a new party election system but should first focus instead on the next general election," he said.

MCA hauls up online critic

Jun 11, 10 3:48pm

A Penang MCA division leader has been called for a disciplinary hearing against him, allegedly over inflammatory postings in his blog, but without being given details of what his so-called offence is.

Jelutong MCA Youth deputy chief Sit Jie Hao will have to face the disciplinary board at 11am on June 25 at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

However, the notice he received says nothing about the offence he allegedly committed.

In view of this, Jie Hao (right) told Malaysiakini, he was unable to prepare his defence and is contemplating the possibility of skipping the hearing.

"I don't rule out the possibility of MCA divisions in Johor lodging a report against me for posting the modified lyrics of the party song in my blog," he said in a sly dig at his boss, Dr Chua Soi Lek, who is considered an influential figure in the state.

The opening verse in the modified lyrics describes MCA as an Umno stooge, while claiming that the party had surrendered its founding principles and functions to enrich its leaders and their cronies.

Jie Hao said he was not the author of the lyrics, but that he merely reproduced it in his blog.

His previous postings have, among others, touched on the appropriateness of having sex-scandal tainted Chua as MCA president.

He also criticised Chua's decision to nominate his son Tee Yong (left) for the post of deputy minister.

If it is true that the hearing against Jie Hao is over his blog posting, then it will be a first for the MCA.

The hearing has also prompted claims that the party was on a witch hunt for dissidents, despite Chua's claim that MCA would accommodate their voices.

Has MCA changed enough to regain Chinese support?

Alan Ting

Sunday, 30 May 2010 13:40

ANALYSIS The MCA, the second largest Barisan Nasional (BN) component party, is striving to revamp its previous conservative image: it wants to adopt a bolder approach to win the hearts and minds of the Chinese Malaysian community.

There are enough reasons for this change. The Hulu Selangor by-election results, which showed that the Chinese support for the BN had continued to decline, is one of them.

Another is the Sibu parliamentary by-election in Sarawak.

Although the MCA has no presence in Sarawak, the Sibu by-election results has again sent a distress signal that the declining Chinese support was not confined to Peninsula Malaysia alone.

Barely a week after the Sibu by-election, the MCA unveiled its new approach by announcing a 100-page memorandum to the Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional chairman, Najib Abdul Razak, for the 10th Malaysia Plan where the party requested RM1 billion to support the Chinese vernacular education.

Too conservative

Explaining the changes, MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek said the MCA had long been too conservative, thus giving the wrong impression that the party "does not dare to speak out".

As such, he said, opposition parties had successfully "built an image" for the MCA as "a party that doesn't understand the Chinese community" and "is even disconnected from the community."

"So I've decided to take a different approach. I think we should say everything that should be said. As for whether we succeed in negotiations, let the government leadership decide," he said.

MCA Central Committee (CC) member Loh Seng Kok viewed this approach as making it known to the public on what the party wants to do.

It has to be more informative to the people instead of having a low profile as in the past, he said.

"For a long time, MCA's practice in negotiations and discussions related to issues and policies affecting the Chinese community was doing it behind closed doors.

"Due to this approach, the people think MCA is not working or championing their issues," he said, adding this approach had dealt a severe blow to MCA as most people thought that the party was always agreeing to policies implemented by the government even though the people were not happy about it.

However, some also argued that by merely presenting their demands and asking for more allocations would not work anymore as the Chinese were known to be more dynamic in their thinking and needs.

But as Loh said, "At least, the political scene will be vibrant."

"All parties have to accept the people's view. There must be a platform for all political parties to make their stand and opinions. Let those opinions be evaluated by the people," he said.

Another CC member, Chong It Chew, said the new MCA leadership was firm enough to tackle long-standing issues.

These include education, a matter which is close to the hearts of the Chinese community, and MCA had now directly asked the government to increase allocations to Chinese schools from about four per cent to 20 per cent under the 10th Malaysia Plan, he said.

Besides that, the MCA is also asking the government to recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) by Chinese independent schools.

Merely changing strategies

"These two issues have been going on for some time. We want to let the Chinese community know that we are doing something. We don't want to wait until it is approved, only then we announce it," he said.

However, for some political analysts, what MCA is doing is merely changing its strategies and not amounted to fundamental changes on principles and struggles.

Fundamental changes, they said, are important in regaining support from the people.

"What I see now is that the MCA under Dr Chua's leadership is building up a new image for the party, mostly by making changes to its strategy. I did not see any changes to the party's principles," political analyst Cheah See Kian asked.

Merely making changes to its strategy and "behaving like the opposition" would not help the party regain much support, he said.

"They just can't be like the opposition, like being vocal and demanding this and that. The people will ask, 'you are also the government and why can't you resolve the issues and help the community?'

"Besides that, I see some other BN components, particulary Umno having already changed. They have broadened their voting processes and have come up with more direct approaches, including reaching out to other communities," he said.

However, Cheah alleged that the people had not seen MCA, Gerakan or MIC or even SUPP changing.

Another political analyst, Khoo Kay Peng, said the MCA should do more than just submitting a memorandum to the prime minister because such an action was outdated.

"MCA should walk the talk. They should learn to bite and not just bark."