Two Chinese based Barisan Nasional component parties have taken Tun Dr Mahathir Mohmad to task for his scathing attack on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, saying that the former prime minister should back up his criticism of Najib's failed policies with proof.
Gerakan secretary-general Liang Teck Meng (pic) said while constructive criticisms are welcomed, it should be done behind close doors instead of washing dirty linen in public.
"Such criticisms will affect both the prime minister and BN's image. I want proof of the shortfall of Najib's policies.
"I also want to know on what basis he is saying Najib is worst than Pak Lah?" he said in using the popular moniker for Najib's precedessor Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
In lashing out against Najib's administration, Dr Mahathir had said yesterday he was withdrawing his support for the prime minister as his criticism had fallen on deaf ears.
“I have tried to give my views to him directly, which are also the views of many people who have met me," wrote Dr Mahathir on his popular blog, chedet.cc.
"This has not been effective so I have to criticise. I have no choice but to withdraw my support," he said, adding that Najib was worse than Abdullah.
Last night, Dr Mahathir had said his criticism against Najib was not personal and it did not mean that the PM should resign.
Instead, Dr Mahathir said he was unhappy with Najib's policies and his soft approaches which, according to the former PM, did not benefit the country.
Liang said it is unfair of the statesman to rebuke the country's leader without giving concrete evidence.
The Simpang Renggam MP added that Najib should be given more time since he only took over as PM in 2009, compared with Dr Mahathir, who governed the country for 22 years.
MCA central committee member Datuk Ti Lian Ker said during Dr Mahathir's tenure from 1981 to 2003, the former prime minister too had faced public criticisms, turbulence and perceived weaknesses but he weathered through it without attacks from his predecessors.
He said the country's first and third prime ministers Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Hussein Onn respectively, had never resorted to personal attacks even though they had issues with him.
In contrast, Dr Mahathir resorted to personal attacks on his successor, Abdullah and now, Najib.
Dr Mahathir began openly attacking Abdullah and his administration in 2006 over his policies, including cancelling the “crooked” bridge to link Singapore and Johor.
He turned to his blog to criticise Abdullah for his “half-past-six government”, and even took shots at the latter’s tendency to nap in public.
"Instead of resorting to sweeping statements and venomous personal attacks, he should go on issues in specifics and details for the people to judge.
"As an elder, he cannot be the jury, judge and the prosecutor. He should exercise some restraint and decorum," Ti said.
The MCA leader said Dr Mahathir should realise that his days are now over, and that the country has a different leader who is faced with challenges that is different than during the statesman's time.
"In the current challenging circumstances faced with emerging extremisms, the prime minister is still the best man for the job and he should be given more time," he said.
Umno leaders too have rallied around Najib in light of Dr Mahathir's rebuke, with party vice-presidents Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi saying the PM was doing his best in administering the country and that he should be respected by everyone, including ex-leaders.
However, Umno's grassroots wanted Najib to heed the concerns raised by Dr Mahathir, illustrating the sway the former PM still holds among the party's rank-and-file. – August 19, 2014.
- The Malaysian Insider -
Promoting Thinking Minds Via Rational Rationale
Showing posts with label MCA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MCA. Show all posts
Wednesday, 20 August 2014
Tuesday, 10 June 2014
MCA: Can't wed or die in peace in Pakatan states
The actions of Islamic authorities in Selangor and Penang have prompted MCA to launch a scathing salvo against Pakatan Rakyat.
Among others, Penang MCA deputy chief Tan Teik Cheng wondered if the opposition bloc is planning to get rid of all non-Muslims in their states.
"Under the administration of Pakatan, non-Muslims are continuously being harassed by the states' Islamic religious departments," he said in a statement today.
According to Tan (right), Selangor, Penang and Kelantan have witnessed numerous incidents which infringed on the rights of non-Muslims.
"In states under Pakatan's administration, marriages are stopped and those being laid to rest are prevented from being laid to rest.
"Apparently these states have now become inhabitable for non-Muslims," he added.
Tan was responding to the incident in Penang, where the state Islamic authorities (JAIPP) and police disrupted the Chinese funeral rites for Teoh Cheng Cheng.
JAIPP claimed that Teoh had converted to Islam 17 years ago and her Muslim name was Nora Teoh Abdullah. But her family denied any knowledge of this.
State executive councillor for Islamic affairs Abdul Malik Kassim later denied reports that the body of the 38-year-old waitress was "seized".
He claimed that JAIPP and the family settled the matter "amicably" and the latter agreed for the body to be brought back to the hospital mortuary.
Prior to this, Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) officials stopped a Hindu wedding after being informed that the bride was a Muslim.
'CM must not run away'
Meanwhile, Tan also told Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng "not to run away from his responsibility" since JAIPP is under the jurisdiction of the state government.
He also recalled the case of Indonesian Christian migrant worker Halimah, who JAIPP had previously arrested and charged for close proximity (khalwat).
Also taking Lim to task was Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang (left).
"With due respect to JAIPP, the matter could have been handled better than disrupting the funeral of the deceased," he said in a statement.
"The family of the deceased is already grieving after the sudden death of the deceased. JAIPP should not have added more trauma to the family of the deceased," he added.
Among others, Penang MCA deputy chief Tan Teik Cheng wondered if the opposition bloc is planning to get rid of all non-Muslims in their states.
"Under the administration of Pakatan, non-Muslims are continuously being harassed by the states' Islamic religious departments," he said in a statement today.
According to Tan (right), Selangor, Penang and Kelantan have witnessed numerous incidents which infringed on the rights of non-Muslims.
"In states under Pakatan's administration, marriages are stopped and those being laid to rest are prevented from being laid to rest.
"Apparently these states have now become inhabitable for non-Muslims," he added.
Tan was responding to the incident in Penang, where the state Islamic authorities (JAIPP) and police disrupted the Chinese funeral rites for Teoh Cheng Cheng.
JAIPP claimed that Teoh had converted to Islam 17 years ago and her Muslim name was Nora Teoh Abdullah. But her family denied any knowledge of this.
State executive councillor for Islamic affairs Abdul Malik Kassim later denied reports that the body of the 38-year-old waitress was "seized".
He claimed that JAIPP and the family settled the matter "amicably" and the latter agreed for the body to be brought back to the hospital mortuary.
Prior to this, Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) officials stopped a Hindu wedding after being informed that the bride was a Muslim.
'CM must not run away'
Meanwhile, Tan also told Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng "not to run away from his responsibility" since JAIPP is under the jurisdiction of the state government.
He also recalled the case of Indonesian Christian migrant worker Halimah, who JAIPP had previously arrested and charged for close proximity (khalwat).
Also taking Lim to task was Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang (left).
"With due respect to JAIPP, the matter could have been handled better than disrupting the funeral of the deceased," he said in a statement.
"The family of the deceased is already grieving after the sudden death of the deceased. JAIPP should not have added more trauma to the family of the deceased," he added.
Thursday, 8 May 2014
Don't make rash decisions, Khairy tells MCA
Speculation has been rife that the hudud controversy may rip apart Pakatan Rakyat. But similar fissures are appearing in BN as well.
In an attempt to contain a possible fallout, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has urged MCA not to make any rash decisions regarding this matter.
He was commenting on MCA deputy president Wee Ka Siong's remark that the party should review its position in BN given that Umno is backing PAS' plan to implement hudud.
However, Khairy said Wee's statement was made based on assumptions since government had yet to make any decision.
"So I hope there is no ultimatum from any quarters based on assumptions regarding the Private Member's Bill (on hudud) to be tabled in Parliament.
"As for Umno, we have stated our stand that we accept hudud as the law prescribed by Allah but we are studying the question of implementation," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.
The youth and sports minister also requested MCA not to issue statements or make decisions that could sour ties between BN component parties.
On MCA Youth chief Chong Sin Woon's request to meet with Umno Youth over this matter, Khairy said he has asked Youth exco Dr Fathul Bari Mat Jahya to meet Chong.
"We want all component parties to understand each other and this issue (implementation of hudud) was raised by PAS and not the BN government," he said.
PAS' plan to implement hudud law in Kelantan has also drawn flak from its ally DAP, which argued that it goes against the Pakatan common policy framework.
-Malaysiakini-
In an attempt to contain a possible fallout, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has urged MCA not to make any rash decisions regarding this matter.
He was commenting on MCA deputy president Wee Ka Siong's remark that the party should review its position in BN given that Umno is backing PAS' plan to implement hudud.
However, Khairy said Wee's statement was made based on assumptions since government had yet to make any decision.
"So I hope there is no ultimatum from any quarters based on assumptions regarding the Private Member's Bill (on hudud) to be tabled in Parliament.
"As for Umno, we have stated our stand that we accept hudud as the law prescribed by Allah but we are studying the question of implementation," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.
The youth and sports minister also requested MCA not to issue statements or make decisions that could sour ties between BN component parties.
On MCA Youth chief Chong Sin Woon's request to meet with Umno Youth over this matter, Khairy said he has asked Youth exco Dr Fathul Bari Mat Jahya to meet Chong.
"We want all component parties to understand each other and this issue (implementation of hudud) was raised by PAS and not the BN government," he said.
PAS' plan to implement hudud law in Kelantan has also drawn flak from its ally DAP, which argued that it goes against the Pakatan common policy framework.
-Malaysiakini-
Saturday, 3 May 2014
Najib invites MCA to rejoin cabinet, help chart future of nation together
KUALA LUMPUR (May 3): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today invited the MCA to rejoin the cabinet, grow stronger within the BN and help chart the future of the nation together.
Najib, who is also BN chairman, said he would decide the "details" of the matter.
"MCA cannot stay outside the government. You need to be part and parcel of the BN government because, if you talk about being stronger together, you have to be inside the government. We will chart the future of Malaysia," he said.
Najib spoke at the launch of MCA's transformation campaign, themed "Stronger Together", at a unity gathering of the party.
MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, deputy president Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong and other senior party leaders were present at the event.
Najib said MCA's participation in the cabinet would definitely assist the government to plan relevant policies for the benefit of all races in the country.
"I am certainly giving serious consideration to MCA but, as you know, I am like a father who has many children. We (BN) have 13 parties," he said.
Najib also reminded MCA to redouble efforts and discover the real strength to ensure that the party remained strong among the Chinese community.
"I don't want to hear about one million MCA members. I want to know your real strength. So, go down to the ground, meet every member and ask 'are you still committed to MCA? We need to know," he said.
The prime minister advised MCA to be united and discard factionalism in facing the next general election so that the party would be able to field the best candidates.
"Be realistic. We want the best MCA candidates to stand in each constituency," he said.
Najib said that in terms of parliamentary seats won by the party, the MCA went down to 12 seats in the 2008 general election and then to seven in the 2013 election.
"We cannot afford the MCA to go down any further. We want the MCA to go up and up, higher and higher, further and further.
"This is the spirit of the gathering this time, and I will be with you always," Najib said.
-Bernama-
Najib, who is also BN chairman, said he would decide the "details" of the matter.
"MCA cannot stay outside the government. You need to be part and parcel of the BN government because, if you talk about being stronger together, you have to be inside the government. We will chart the future of Malaysia," he said.
Najib spoke at the launch of MCA's transformation campaign, themed "Stronger Together", at a unity gathering of the party.
MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, deputy president Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong and other senior party leaders were present at the event.
Najib said MCA's participation in the cabinet would definitely assist the government to plan relevant policies for the benefit of all races in the country.
"I am certainly giving serious consideration to MCA but, as you know, I am like a father who has many children. We (BN) have 13 parties," he said.
Najib also reminded MCA to redouble efforts and discover the real strength to ensure that the party remained strong among the Chinese community.
"I don't want to hear about one million MCA members. I want to know your real strength. So, go down to the ground, meet every member and ask 'are you still committed to MCA? We need to know," he said.
The prime minister advised MCA to be united and discard factionalism in facing the next general election so that the party would be able to field the best candidates.
"Be realistic. We want the best MCA candidates to stand in each constituency," he said.
Najib said that in terms of parliamentary seats won by the party, the MCA went down to 12 seats in the 2008 general election and then to seven in the 2013 election.
"We cannot afford the MCA to go down any further. We want the MCA to go up and up, higher and higher, further and further.
"This is the spirit of the gathering this time, and I will be with you always," Najib said.
-Bernama-
Liow: MCA not scared to stand in Bukit Gelugor
MCA president Liow Tiong Lai today denied the party's reluctance to stand in the Bukit Gelugor parliamentary by-election was out of fear, but rather it is a matter of "strategy".
"We are not worried about contesting, but we just need to have a strategy," he said when asked if the party was afraid to contest after the party said it was 50-50 about running.
Liow added the matter needs to be further discussed within BN to decide if MCA will be fielding its candidate.
On Wednesday April 30, MCA deputy president Wee Ka Siong said the party was still 50-50 about contesting the seat that was vacated after the incumbent Karpal Singh met with a fatal road accident last month.
Bukit Gelugor is said to be a DAP stronghold.
[More to follow]
"We are not worried about contesting, but we just need to have a strategy," he said when asked if the party was afraid to contest after the party said it was 50-50 about running.
Liow added the matter needs to be further discussed within BN to decide if MCA will be fielding its candidate.
On Wednesday April 30, MCA deputy president Wee Ka Siong said the party was still 50-50 about contesting the seat that was vacated after the incumbent Karpal Singh met with a fatal road accident last month.
Bukit Gelugor is said to be a DAP stronghold.
[More to follow]
Wednesday, 30 April 2014
MCA unfazed by upstart parties and new faces in Bukit Gelugor
GEORGE TOWN (April 30): The MCA has brushed aside any perceived threat to their voter base in the upcoming Bukit Gelugor by-election by the emergence of fledgling parties and independent faces wanting to join the fray.
"That is their constitutional right and you will see how many votes they can garner," quipped MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong when asked about the matter today.
Thus far, besides MCA's traditional opponent the DAP, four smaller entities have expressed already interest to contest the by-election in Penang on May 25.
They include a new outfit called the Penang Front Party which has yet to be registered by the Registrar of Societies, Parti Cinta Malaysia vice-president Datuk Huan Cheng Guan who is a former vice-president of Gerakan and former Batu Kawan MP, Penang Malay Congress president Rahmat Isahak and a youngster named Mohd Yaacob Mohd Noor.
Wee stressed that any other party wishing to contest by hailing itself as a "third force" is only doing so as part of a strategy to gain prominence.
He also refuted reports that MCA has decided not to run in the by-election due to DAP purportedly being favourite to maintain hold of the seat.
He revealed that MCA had last week conducted a survey among more than 400 local voters from a cross-section of races, ages and income groups, to gain their electoral sentiments, opinions and general mindset over a variety of issues - including crime, hudud, GST, corruption, local authority, bureaucracy, government handling of the MH370 disappearance and so on.
The findings, which he declined to reveal, are to be deliberated at the top level of the Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership. The coalition should then make the announcement of its decision before May 12 when nominations take place.
"We did an in-depth analysis. We know the pros and cons (of contesting)," he said.
"Whatever the decision made by the top leadership, we will adhere to it."
Wee was speaking at a press conference during a visit to the constituency here today. With him was MCA's Bukit Gelugor division head Datuk Koay Kar Huah who is a former state executive councillor.
The Bukit Gelugor seat became vacant following the death of its MP Karpal Singh, a DAP veteran leader, who was in his third term there, in a vehicle accident on April 17.
Karpal won the seat against MCA's Teh Beng Yeam by massive 41,778 majority votes in the last general election of 2013. Prior to that, Karpal had won the seat by 21,015 votes in 2008 and 1,261 votes in 2004.
Some 75% of the 62,000-odd voters here are Chinese.
Asked about the expected tide of support and sympathy for DAP due to the public grief over Karpal's death, Wee acknowledged this and said it was something the MCA needed time to think about.
He also expressed MCA's sharing of sorrow as felt by Karpal's family in his sudden demise.
He added that the party has a total of 8,029 members in more than 50 branches in the constituency who are being mobilised to prepare for the election.
"The instructions are for the ground (work) to move first," he said. "Whether we fight or don't fight, that will be secondary."
By Himanshu Bhatt, FZ
"That is their constitutional right and you will see how many votes they can garner," quipped MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong when asked about the matter today.
Thus far, besides MCA's traditional opponent the DAP, four smaller entities have expressed already interest to contest the by-election in Penang on May 25.
They include a new outfit called the Penang Front Party which has yet to be registered by the Registrar of Societies, Parti Cinta Malaysia vice-president Datuk Huan Cheng Guan who is a former vice-president of Gerakan and former Batu Kawan MP, Penang Malay Congress president Rahmat Isahak and a youngster named Mohd Yaacob Mohd Noor.
Wee stressed that any other party wishing to contest by hailing itself as a "third force" is only doing so as part of a strategy to gain prominence.
He also refuted reports that MCA has decided not to run in the by-election due to DAP purportedly being favourite to maintain hold of the seat.
He revealed that MCA had last week conducted a survey among more than 400 local voters from a cross-section of races, ages and income groups, to gain their electoral sentiments, opinions and general mindset over a variety of issues - including crime, hudud, GST, corruption, local authority, bureaucracy, government handling of the MH370 disappearance and so on.
The findings, which he declined to reveal, are to be deliberated at the top level of the Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership. The coalition should then make the announcement of its decision before May 12 when nominations take place.
"We did an in-depth analysis. We know the pros and cons (of contesting)," he said.
"Whatever the decision made by the top leadership, we will adhere to it."
Wee was speaking at a press conference during a visit to the constituency here today. With him was MCA's Bukit Gelugor division head Datuk Koay Kar Huah who is a former state executive councillor.
The Bukit Gelugor seat became vacant following the death of its MP Karpal Singh, a DAP veteran leader, who was in his third term there, in a vehicle accident on April 17.
Karpal won the seat against MCA's Teh Beng Yeam by massive 41,778 majority votes in the last general election of 2013. Prior to that, Karpal had won the seat by 21,015 votes in 2008 and 1,261 votes in 2004.
Some 75% of the 62,000-odd voters here are Chinese.
Asked about the expected tide of support and sympathy for DAP due to the public grief over Karpal's death, Wee acknowledged this and said it was something the MCA needed time to think about.
He also expressed MCA's sharing of sorrow as felt by Karpal's family in his sudden demise.
He added that the party has a total of 8,029 members in more than 50 branches in the constituency who are being mobilised to prepare for the election.
"The instructions are for the ground (work) to move first," he said. "Whether we fight or don't fight, that will be secondary."
By Himanshu Bhatt, FZ
Sunday, 9 March 2014
Can MCA save its dignity in Kajang after Sodomy II?
PETALING JAYA (March 9): The MCA has a lot to explain to the voters of Kajang following the second conviction of PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The perception of the general public is that the conviction for Sodomy II, as Anwar’s second sodomy case has been labelled, had unfolded at a whirl-wind pace because it was aimed at stopping Anwar from contesting in the Kajang by-election and subsequently becoming the Menteri Besar of Selangor.
As such, the people have been pointing their fingers at the Barisan Nasional (BN) and its leader, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is perceived to be reaping the benefits from the whole incident.
Netizens have voiced their dissatisfaction at the Appeals Court decision by posting emotional and critical comments on Najib’s Facebook page.
As a component party of BN, MCA has a monumental campaign ahead in winning back the support of the Chinese voters in Kajang.
Former MCA vice-president Datuk Yap Pian Hon said that with Anwar’s conviction, there was much uncertainty in the by-election now.
“The MCA needs to face this ruling, and re-strategise its campaign, because we don’t know who their candidate is now, whether it is a man or a woman.
“Because of that, this will be a tough campaign for MCA,” Yap told fz.com.
MCA Wanita national vice chairman Ong Chong Swen believed that Pakatan Rakyat will play up the people’s sentiments over Anwar’s conviction.
She said that the case had been in court for many years, it was bound to come to an end. To Pakatan Rakyat, any decision other than setting Anwar free will not be satisfactory, she said.
MCA will continue to talk to the residents and voters of Kajang, to explain the issue, she said.
“The voters must evaluate whether the case is related to the by-election or not,” she said.
Interestingly, MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and deputy president Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong have not made any comment so far on Anwar’s case on any social media platform such as Twitter and Facebook.
In the bigger perspective, MCA is in a quandary because a significant portion of the Chinese believed that the party would not be able to be critical of BN and push the ruling coalition to adopt fairer policies.
Certainly, MCA has not been able to defend the government’s policies such as the quota system implemented since 1970 in education and the civil service which were deemed to be unfair to the non-Malays.
This has prompted a majority of the Chinese to fully embrace the agenda for change offered by the Pakatan Rakyat in the 13th general election.
With the voting pattern of the Chinese unlikely to see a big shift, according to opinion pollster Merdeka Centre, the MCA is the underdog in the Kajang by-election and looks doomed to fail.
It is worth noting that the MCA strategy following Anwar’s announcement that he would contest in Kajang was to reduce his electoral majority, to cause embarrassment to the popular leader.
The party had attacked Anwar for contributing to the unfair treatment of Chinese education in Malaysia during the 1980s, when he was the Education Minister. As the ministry had been at the centre of a controversial move to place non-Mandarin speaking administrative staff in Chinese schools, it also blamed Anwar for bringing about the crackdown on 106 activists and educationists during the Operation Lalang in 1987, when they were arrested under the Internal Security Act 1960.
Initially, MCA might have been able to achieve its aim of reducing Anwar’s majority, banking on the unhappiness of a section of voters over the forcing of the by-election by PKR, but the game changed drastically with Anwar’s conviction on Friday.
The biggest Chinese-based party in Malaysia may even face a disgraceful defeat if its candidate loses her deposit. Many netizens have made this call to the Kajang voters since the court sentence was announced.
The MCA vice president and Kajang candidate Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun had hoped that she could garner 25-27% Chinese votes in Kajang, while the MCA National Chairman Chong Shin Woon was also quoted as saying that if the party could garner 30-35% Chinese votes, the party could rejoin the Cabinet with dignity, after its self-imposed exit from government posts.
MCA only won over 18% Chinese votes in the Kajang constituency in the 13th general election.
For the new MCA leadership under Liow, who had wanted to prove their worth to the Prime Minister by making a “last call” for the party, this by-election may not allow it to reclaim its dignity just yet.
By Chen Shau Fui, FZ
The perception of the general public is that the conviction for Sodomy II, as Anwar’s second sodomy case has been labelled, had unfolded at a whirl-wind pace because it was aimed at stopping Anwar from contesting in the Kajang by-election and subsequently becoming the Menteri Besar of Selangor.
As such, the people have been pointing their fingers at the Barisan Nasional (BN) and its leader, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is perceived to be reaping the benefits from the whole incident.
Netizens have voiced their dissatisfaction at the Appeals Court decision by posting emotional and critical comments on Najib’s Facebook page.
As a component party of BN, MCA has a monumental campaign ahead in winning back the support of the Chinese voters in Kajang.
Former MCA vice-president Datuk Yap Pian Hon said that with Anwar’s conviction, there was much uncertainty in the by-election now.
“The MCA needs to face this ruling, and re-strategise its campaign, because we don’t know who their candidate is now, whether it is a man or a woman.
“Because of that, this will be a tough campaign for MCA,” Yap told fz.com.
MCA Wanita national vice chairman Ong Chong Swen believed that Pakatan Rakyat will play up the people’s sentiments over Anwar’s conviction.
She said that the case had been in court for many years, it was bound to come to an end. To Pakatan Rakyat, any decision other than setting Anwar free will not be satisfactory, she said.
MCA will continue to talk to the residents and voters of Kajang, to explain the issue, she said.
“The voters must evaluate whether the case is related to the by-election or not,” she said.
Interestingly, MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and deputy president Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong have not made any comment so far on Anwar’s case on any social media platform such as Twitter and Facebook.
In the bigger perspective, MCA is in a quandary because a significant portion of the Chinese believed that the party would not be able to be critical of BN and push the ruling coalition to adopt fairer policies.
Certainly, MCA has not been able to defend the government’s policies such as the quota system implemented since 1970 in education and the civil service which were deemed to be unfair to the non-Malays.
This has prompted a majority of the Chinese to fully embrace the agenda for change offered by the Pakatan Rakyat in the 13th general election.
With the voting pattern of the Chinese unlikely to see a big shift, according to opinion pollster Merdeka Centre, the MCA is the underdog in the Kajang by-election and looks doomed to fail.
It is worth noting that the MCA strategy following Anwar’s announcement that he would contest in Kajang was to reduce his electoral majority, to cause embarrassment to the popular leader.
The party had attacked Anwar for contributing to the unfair treatment of Chinese education in Malaysia during the 1980s, when he was the Education Minister. As the ministry had been at the centre of a controversial move to place non-Mandarin speaking administrative staff in Chinese schools, it also blamed Anwar for bringing about the crackdown on 106 activists and educationists during the Operation Lalang in 1987, when they were arrested under the Internal Security Act 1960.
Initially, MCA might have been able to achieve its aim of reducing Anwar’s majority, banking on the unhappiness of a section of voters over the forcing of the by-election by PKR, but the game changed drastically with Anwar’s conviction on Friday.
The biggest Chinese-based party in Malaysia may even face a disgraceful defeat if its candidate loses her deposit. Many netizens have made this call to the Kajang voters since the court sentence was announced.
The MCA vice president and Kajang candidate Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun had hoped that she could garner 25-27% Chinese votes in Kajang, while the MCA National Chairman Chong Shin Woon was also quoted as saying that if the party could garner 30-35% Chinese votes, the party could rejoin the Cabinet with dignity, after its self-imposed exit from government posts.
MCA only won over 18% Chinese votes in the Kajang constituency in the 13th general election.
For the new MCA leadership under Liow, who had wanted to prove their worth to the Prime Minister by making a “last call” for the party, this by-election may not allow it to reclaim its dignity just yet.
By Chen Shau Fui, FZ
Sunday, 23 February 2014
Chew Mei Fun - The Yardstick of Acceptance
PAGOH (Feb 23): The selection of MCA vice-president Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun as the candidate for the Kajang by-election can be used as a yardstick to gauge the people's acceptance of MCA's new party leadership, said Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
The opportunity to contest in the by-election “should not be wasted” even though certain quarters suggested that the BN should not contest, said the deputy prime minister and deputy BN chairman.
"If this opportunity is not taken, then it is difficult to gauge the extend of acceptance by the Chinese community or the people towards the new MCA leadership," he told reporters after launching the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) programme at the Pagoh parliamentary constituency.
"Whatever the decision, it will become an indication of where they (MCA) stand, the remedial measures that can be taken and the basic struggles that they want to fight for the Chinese community. Probably it can be delivered at a by-election such as this one," he added.
Muhyiddin said Chew was a suitable candidate because she was not only experienced in holding a post in the government but also a person with principles as well as having a good character.
"I think it is good that we give opportunity (to MCA) although there are suggestions for the seat to be given to a representative from other BN component parties," he said.
He added that the BN would not give in easily to the opposition by not contesting despite being seen as the "underdog."
"If we do not contest, the opposition will use it as a platform to criticise government-related issues," he said, adding that the BN could also rebuke any allegations made by the opposition with clear and accurate information.
Meanwhile in KUALA LUMPUR, MCA President Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the party would stand up to the challenges at the Kajang by-election although it would be an uphill battle.
He said the party would not retreat although there were quarters calling them to do so.
"Based on the results of the May 5, 2013 general election, we are at a disadvantage, but we will display our new attitude in facing the polls. MCA is full of confidence in facing this by-election, and we will never give up," he said when speaking at the party's 65th anniversary celebration at Wisma MCA.
Liow, who said the party was fielding a candidate with integrity, urged the Kajang voters to evaluate MCA's credibility and give the party a chance.
MCA will come forward and expose the true face of this party (PKR), by telling voters that this by-election was called for because of a personal struggle for power," he said, adding that it happened not for the interest of the voters but rather due to the selfishness of PKR leaders.
The Kajang state seat fell vacant after Lee Chin Cheh of PKR, who had won the seat by a 6,824 vote-majority by defeating five other candidates in the 13th general election, resigned on Jan 27.
The Election Commission has fixed March 11 for nomination and March 23 for polling.
PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was the first to announce his candidacy for the by-election. Former de facto law minister Datuk Seri Zaid Ibrahim has also said he would be contesting.
FZ
"If this opportunity is not taken, then it is difficult to gauge the extend of acceptance by the Chinese community or the people towards the new MCA leadership," he told reporters after launching the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) programme at the Pagoh parliamentary constituency.
"Whatever the decision, it will become an indication of where they (MCA) stand, the remedial measures that can be taken and the basic struggles that they want to fight for the Chinese community. Probably it can be delivered at a by-election such as this one," he added.
Muhyiddin said Chew was a suitable candidate because she was not only experienced in holding a post in the government but also a person with principles as well as having a good character.
"I think it is good that we give opportunity (to MCA) although there are suggestions for the seat to be given to a representative from other BN component parties," he said.
He added that the BN would not give in easily to the opposition by not contesting despite being seen as the "underdog."
"If we do not contest, the opposition will use it as a platform to criticise government-related issues," he said, adding that the BN could also rebuke any allegations made by the opposition with clear and accurate information.
Meanwhile in KUALA LUMPUR, MCA President Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the party would stand up to the challenges at the Kajang by-election although it would be an uphill battle.
He said the party would not retreat although there were quarters calling them to do so.
"Based on the results of the May 5, 2013 general election, we are at a disadvantage, but we will display our new attitude in facing the polls. MCA is full of confidence in facing this by-election, and we will never give up," he said when speaking at the party's 65th anniversary celebration at Wisma MCA.
Liow, who said the party was fielding a candidate with integrity, urged the Kajang voters to evaluate MCA's credibility and give the party a chance.
MCA will come forward and expose the true face of this party (PKR), by telling voters that this by-election was called for because of a personal struggle for power," he said, adding that it happened not for the interest of the voters but rather due to the selfishness of PKR leaders.
The Kajang state seat fell vacant after Lee Chin Cheh of PKR, who had won the seat by a 6,824 vote-majority by defeating five other candidates in the 13th general election, resigned on Jan 27.
The Election Commission has fixed March 11 for nomination and March 23 for polling.
PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was the first to announce his candidacy for the by-election. Former de facto law minister Datuk Seri Zaid Ibrahim has also said he would be contesting.
FZ
MCA - The End of a Soul-Searching Journey
Today, the NST carried a very timely report paving the way for Chew Mei Fun to blaze the trail in Kajang.
KUALA LUMPUR: MCA will celebrate its 65th anniversary today at its headquarters here and at least 2,380 party delegates are expected to turn up to mark the occasion.
But besides celebrating the party's birthday, MCA central delegates are facing one major task: to pass a resolution allowing party leaders to take up ministerial positions in the Federal Government.
At present, no MCA leaders hold such a position after the previous party leadership decided to prevent its members from taking it up should the party fare badly in the 13th General Election.
The move was meant to motivate MCA's election candidates to work hard to win the hearts and minds of the Chinese community after losing their support in the 2008 general election. MCA won only 15 parliamentary seats.
That number was shockingly halved in GE13, when the Chinese community once again abandoned the party, leaving it with only seven parliamentary and 11 state seats.
The weaker performance came as a major surprise to MCA, and it was forced to swallow its pride and uphold the ruling it had implemented and barring its members from assuming any government posts.
Then came Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek's announcement that he would step down at the end of 2013 to own up to MCA's electoral debacle. After a short internal power struggle, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai came out on top, promising change and total reform.
Liow, flanked by his deputy Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong, almost immediately set into motion preparations for the party to rescind the ruling designed and endorsed by the outgoing leadership.
To Liow, MCA simply could not fulfil its duties as the caretaker of the Chinese community if it did not have a say in policy-making. And to be part of that process, the party had to be part of the Federal cabinet.
Liow is believed to have orchestrated the coming emergency general meeting (EGM) by commissioning three party central committee (CC) members to requisition it.
The three CC members, led by Perak MCA chief Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, had then travelled across the country, meeting all the central delegates and acquiring their signatures approving the trio's intention to hold an EGM.
At the end of their tour, Mah and his comrades managed to collect more than 1,900 signatures from a total of 2,380 delegates. This, according to political pundits, signals an all-round support for Liow, whose leadership has barely entered its fourth month.
The EGM today carries only one resolution: to accept government posts at all levels, including Federal-level appointments.
The government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has also "reserved" the Transport Ministry for an MCA leader, recognising the possibility of the party overturning its 2011 ruling that has kept MCA out of the cabinet for nine months.
It is expected that Liow, who has previously served as Health Minister, will take up the mantle from acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein.
A turnout of at least 90 per cent can be expected during today's EGM, and if the number of signatures is anything to go by, the resolution will be passed with relative ease, either through a show of hands or balloting.
One thing is for sure: for now, MCA is left with a predicament on policy-making and implementation.
Despite not holding any cabinet posts for nine months, MCA is still responsible for issues related to the Chinese community, especially education.
As MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chua said: "MCA can only be responsible and carry out its duty as a ruling party provided that it participates fully in the government.
"MCA is accountable for addressing Chinese community issues but it is helpless because of its absence in government.
"After a soul-searching period of staying out of cabinet, the MCA grassroots have given their feedback."
Dr Mah said: "MCA has been absent from cabinet or in other levels of government for the last nine months and this poses an anomaly in policy-making.
"Hence, the most important thing is that MCA be involved in the decision-making process to assist the Chinese community to resolve problems encountered by Chinese Malaysians."
Source: NST
In another newreport, Fz.com said that 99.5% of the central delegates voted 'yes' to a party resolution to accept all levels of government position via show of hands. Read more at their site.
In another newreport, Fz.com said that 99.5% of the central delegates voted 'yes' to a party resolution to accept all levels of government position via show of hands. Read more at their site.
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