MCA with Nowhere to Go

MCA with Nowhere to Go

By Kee Thuan Chye

Excerpts: Post-GE13 (13^th general election), the MCA is looking more lost than ever before. It is like the partygoer who is all dressed up with nowhere to go. Except that in its case, its dress is somewhat tattered and its face rather bruised after the beating it took at the polls. From the 15 parliamentary seats it held prior to GE13, it now has only seven – and for this poor showing, it has had to heed the call of its president, Chua Soi Lek, to refrain from taking positions in government, including the Cabinet...

Of course, it could now prove itself to truly represent the Chinese by being more vocal about matters that disfavour the community, such as racially discriminatory policies and practices, cronyism and rent-seeking. It could also speak up on issues that affect the nation as a whole, and even criticise wrong measures taken by the Government. That would indeed be serving the people. But would it dare to do so?

On the other hand, if it doesn’t, what is it functioning for?...

Clearly, the MCA needs to redefine itself. Whereas the Chinese electorate, especially in the last five to six years, has moved ahead of the political game, the party is still caught in a time warp. Only a minority of Chinese Malaysians still see the need for a Chinese-based party; most others welcome multi-racialism...

In this regard, even if the MCA ceased to be, it wouldn’t matter. GE13 proved that to be so.

 I suppose, the question is, what is the future of MCA.

1. The Chinese Malaysians have more or less rejected them. Even their own members voted against them.
2. Their President blackmailed the Chinese during the last elections with threats of not accepting government posts.
3. Their President does not want to step down despite his party's poor performance. Why is he still insisting on staying anyway?
4. Obviously it is either power or money, or both... everyone in MCA are trying very hard to get their hand on the party's assets - Chua: Scope-Matang deal not an 'asset stripping' exercise
5. Despite their embarrassing showing in GE13, they are still fighting among themselves.

From the look of things, it is obvious that the leaders are more concerned about their own interests. Was it the Chinese who gave up on MCA? It's actually the other way round!

MCA has abandoned the Chinese

They have abandoned the Chinese even before GE13. Has anyone noticed their total lack of effort in campaigning? Their best attempt was a Karaoke video. Although BN expected a tough fight for urban seats, they have been on a quiet campaign in the rural seats.

Although there were efforts to try and improve MCA's fortunes, but whatever gains were quickly nullified by their in-fighting and sabotaging. One of the most notable effort was initiated in 2011-2012, when a Community Chest was set up to help vernacular and mission schools.

Vernacular and mission schools to benefit from Community Chest

The Community Chest promises to dispense at least RM100mil yearly to Chinese, Tamil and mission schools, and other learning institutions which apply for assistance from it.

It will be managed by a board of trustees and chaired by Genting Malaysia chairman and chief executive Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay. The others were Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd chairman Tan Sri Quek Leng Chan, Lion Group Malaysia chairman Tan Sri William Cheng and CMY Capital Group chairman Tan Sri Chua Ma Yu.

Quality of leaders in MCA

I think this is a major problem in MCA. Just do a comparison between MCA & DAP and you will get the picture. Let's just say that Ong Tee Keat has got the right formula.

What kind of respect and support do the leaders expect if they don't even have the courage to speak out.  Why do you think Gerakan ended up where they are today?

To be a good leader, is not just being the voice of a certain community but more importantly, to act and speak out for all. A good leader is a person who has the welfare of the people and the interest of the nation in his heart. Does MCA possess these qualities?