Sunday, November 30, 2008

MCA Faces Identity Crisis?

It's sometimes hard to read MCA these days. At times, they'll try to play 'hero' to the public by voicing out on certain issues - which they should rightly do, but at other times, they'll contradict themselves especially it appears, when there is a possibility of angering their "big brother".

Newly elected political comeback kid, MCA deputy president Chua Soi Lek on Thursday said that "it was time to change the concept of power sharing within Barisan Nasional."
He said that the oft-used slogan of ‘Ketuanan Melayu', or Malay supremacy, that indicated a master and servant relationship was unacceptable.

"We accept Malay leadership, but not Malay supremacy... When we say we reject 'Ketuanan Melayu', we are not challenging the Malay special rights. It is enshrined in our constitution and nobody can take that away at the present moment."

Well, without taking into consideration who made the statement, the content of it sounds like a good statement to me, something that I would say too.
But 2 days later, the MCA president himself, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, the newly elected "maverick" seems to have surprisingly decided to put in all sorts of disclaimers to Chua's statement.
MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek's remark that the concept of Malay supremacy was no longer relevant, is not the party's stand, party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said today.

"It is his personal view. The MCA's stand will be based on a resolution made by its president or state chairmen," Ong told reporters after chairing the Johor MCA liaison committee meeting here today.
I actually raised my eyebrows when I read the above report, both in Utusan Online, Sinchew Online and in The Malaysian Insider. Now has it got anything to do with dotted lines connecting Datuk Seri Ong's statement to the following statement by UMNO leaders?

From Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein who
...described those questioning the Malay supremacy concept as insincere and only pursuing their personal political interest.
From former Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad who asked MCA
...not raise issues which could hurt the feelings of other races but instead focus on efforts to rebuild the party."Umno could also bring up many issues, but what is the point? What is important is that we clean up our own houses.
Or from UMNO Secretary-General, Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor who said
...there is no point of ketuanan (supremacy) if Malays are not the masters... He should look at the incidents in Mumbai and Bangkok and not be emotional when making a statement.
Go figure.

25 comments:

Bangsa Cina Malaysia said...

for heavens sake stop your comment and stop wasting your energy on MCA which are already irrelevant
to the younger generation.

instead you should look at the weaknesses of The DAP (the Chinaman Attitude) correct it and find ways and to make the DAP stronger and attractive to all Malaysians.

Anonymous said...

MCA a party made of majority unprinciple and immoral individuals will never be able to promote and protect the interests of the Chinese community. Entering politics for these men are only to serve their personal gains...and, gutless politicians. Those who still place their faith on MCA will remain fools to those deceiving leaders... barking dogs and balless performers!

Anonymous said...

I agree with what you have pointed out, but it's best for you to avoid MCA-bashing. These apparent pot shots look like lowly politicking - it only takes away from your own stature. You might draw more 'good' supporters if you stayed on higher ground.

Reasonable and thinking constituents can see these things themselves (why else do you think MCA was beaten black and blue in Mar?) Those who don't will not be persuaded by such comments.

I don't support MCA, but such griping is negative and tiresome. I'd much rather read something positive about what DAP/Pakatan is working on and it has achieved so far.

Just my 2-sen. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

The point is MCA is irrelevant!

Anonymous said...

I disagree that they have an identity crises. They are political eunuchs and they know it. If anything their behaviour is consistent. If there is not enough in it for themselves, they will destroy the masters they serve. If there is enough in it for them, they will protect their masters. It is consistent and we should be glad. These behaviour is natural evolution and demise of MCA like Gerakan is eventual unless UMNO change its ways which is next to impossible. Gerakan is already walking dead that even UMNO people know it.

Anonymous said...

Dear Tony,
MCA is divided into 2 factions. Even other parties such as PAS are divided - moderate and extreme. As long as Ong Tee Keat and the likes of him are in power ... MCA will always tow the line ... they have plenty to lose, i.e. in terms of businesses, privileges, power, ... all for self-interest. For OTK not to support CSL and worm up to UMNO, just shows a "running dog" determined to get rid of a thorn in the flesh. Maybe OTK is trying hard to get the other Ong back?

Shawn Tan said...

Too much of an intellectual leap for me -- not quite sure what has Mumbai and Bangkok got to do with this.

Anonymous said...

Dear Tony:

Bangsa Cina Malaysia 7:54AM has a very relevant point.

So far your blog, and especially Lim Kit Siang's, does more to point out weaknesses of competitors than to offer your own views on issues (existing and probable), your way forward and what you want to work towards.

Content wise, Lim's blog is like my mother's nagging and a monkey throwing stones. It's boring. It is uninspiring. It's not leadership. Looks like yours is starting to head the same direction.

Yes, you can point out problems and other people's weaknesses; but you need to also demonstrate that you are better and have solutions.

More importantly you need to be ahead of the game - don't just be reactive (finger pointing) but proactive (ideas on how to improve the Malaysian standard of living AND protect it).

Unless and until you and your colleagues are able to balance this (reactive, proactive), you will always be "Opposition" and ambulance chasers.

I hope you will take this comment constructively as I would like to see bigger, better and quality leadership from my MP.

OTL said...

Hi Tony & my dear Malaysia kawan,

With the issue of "Ketuanan Melayu", are all the Malays get the benefits & wealth from this?

I do not sure whether I am right or not, I think the purpose of "Ketuanan Melayu" is to bring up the Malay who previously are not so advance in certain area, so we have the "Ketuanan Melayu" in order for them can compete in this Malaysia economy.

But now we look for globalisation, we need to be competitive to get better business. If you really go analysis Malaysia product a lot of things is not competitive, sooner or later we will replace by others.

Wake up Malaysian, we need to face the competition from outside.

I fully respect "Ketuanan Melayu", as all the Sultan & Raja are Muslim Malay, since this is the history & culture, we should support on that.

Now MCA talk about power sharing, what MCA can bring in the coming 3years? So to Pakatan Rakyat? I do not stand at any political parties, but I support who make better Malaysia.

We should make a better Malaysia, come on....

Anonymous said...

yes! tony is coming to kuching for DAP sarawak 30th Anniversary! you're much welcomed!


kch DAP member

Anonymous said...

Tony,

The way you indented this paragraph, it appears as if the words are quotes of what Chua said:


Well, without taking into consideration who made the statement, the content of it sounds like a good statement
to me, something that I would
say too.


But I think you intended it as your own comment.

Anonymous said...

I think you will feel alot of people are now mulling over the choice they made in bringing DAP and PR into several states and questioning alot on what they have accomplished.

Many Malaysia feel that the constant perceived infighting in PR is the top priority that needs addressing in order to build a stable 2 party system in Malaysia which is the basis for a strong democracy. DAP is however not used to be in governance is still spending time playing the opposition. But the tides of democracy swings both ways. If DAP fails to tackle its toughest challenge of working in a coalition then they may be voted out the next time round.

Of all the DAP, only Jeff Ooi seems to understand this but I am unsure how much influence he has only the old guard of DAP in order to wake them out of their Chinese coffee shop uncle stupor.

Samuel Goh Kim Eng said...

WHAT CRISIS TO RESIST?

To discuss about 'identity crisis'
Was there an identity as a basis?
When internal bashing seems to be a norm
Where is the hope for any genuine political reform?

(C) Samuel Goh Kim Eng - 301108
http://MotivationInMotion.blogspot.com
Sun. 30th Nov. 2008.

Anonymous said...

It really doesn't matter what MCA has to say. It should be critical of DAP to take this opportunity to shine and show that DAP can make a difference by actually taking action to make a difference.

At this juncture, this post looks more like an MCA-bash post. We need no further reminders on how MCA seems to be in limbo.

Just like how the rakyat voted DAP in, the rakyat can also vote DAP out.

Anonymous said...

Pua,
this is a simple game being played out by BN. Please check Lee Kim Sai game plan a few years ago. He got his datukship stripped, then very quite - heard when to overseas three years and now came back as Tan Sri. So basically it takes too to tango. So the same game plan being played at this moment.

Anonymous said...

The party with identity crisis is PKR! B4 GE, it's all about Ketuanan Rakyat, now they are calling for immunity to be restored for the Royalty??!!! Hello, what are they talking about-lah?? Just becoz sommeone wants to be PM!

We had really hoped that the Pakatan Rakyat would learn to govern as they have promised, but looks like all politicians are the same, dua kali lima, lima kali dua! All want to divide and rule, so that they can gain power to get $$$.. All jostling for position, all for SELF. None for the people..

donplayplay

Anonymous said...

Hmm....Terence........

What's your suggestion? Bring back BN and UMNO along with MCA. Back to the good old times

Hey, what happens to the move on part?

You see, Terence, people do really have short memories. Worst still, people are like the jews coming our of Egpyt. My goodness, we can find similarities. For instances:

Oh, I remember I found fishes when I was a slave to Phoraoh. Oh, never mind, about the beating and the spitting by the Phoraoh. Hey, hey,hey, it's fine

Terence, if you are willing, Read Numbers to get my drift.

I sincerely hope that Malaysians won't be that stupid and fools of making themselves back to slavery

Terence,
If you think that the present arrangement doesn't suit you, start your own party. Run for parliament.

Anonymous said...

To Anonymous,

Unfortunately, you are putting words in my mouth and you fail to realize we DO see things in a long term. What you seem to be implying is a 'take it of leave it' attitude which is no better than the 'balik cina' attitude.

If DAP fails to recognize the needs, i would see their role getting diminished while a party like PKR possibly which is able to pull together a less arrogant and abrasive message. As we want the question of Malay Supremacy to fade, we too want the perception of DAP as a Chinese party to also do the same.

You need to also realize (I think Tony does get it because he's not censoring this discussion) that a good friend is somebody who praises you..your best friend is somebody is constructively critical of you.

Like I said, the most important thing I feel DAP should focus on is better intra-party(DAP/PKR/PAS) cohesion and less of the throwing stones at glass houses.

Anonymous said...

Hi all,
I think it is good for the YB to highlight what MCA lost "identity" are all about in his blog.We don't have to be harse to comment! For the past 50 years BN has been robbing us did we do anything,is glad if we are not part of it!!!

Anonymous said...

Hey guys,

There is nothing wrong in Tony exposing the wrongdoings, misdeeds and shortcomings of UMNO, MCA, MIC, Gerakan or BN as a whole. We, the public, is interested in knowing as those are our money!

That is why when fatwa on yoga was made, anyone as a Malaysian can question or comment, as we pay taxes and would like to know why the government waste our hard-earned money to discuss and debate such things when there are more important matters for the government to focus on.

Unless the government can prove that my money (ie taxes) are not being spent on useless discussions and researches, I have the right to question or comment on anything that the government does.

Anonymous said...

Dear Tony,

The more you talk about the MCA, the more the rakyat's perception will be that it is a Chinese-based opposition party vs a Chinese-based government party. I strongly agree with the comments here which argues for DAP as a whole to work hard together with PAS and PKR to bring an end to racist policies in Malaysia. I think this can start by making DAP more popular with the non-Chinese populace like what it has been doing in Sabah where DAP has fielded KDM candidates.

PKR should be patient and move the grassroots and the rest will come by itself.

Ignore the barking UMNO dog called MCA because the rakyat can see that they are making fools of themselves. What we need is a strong opposition so that we can make a choice and not live our days as Malaysians under Mahathirism where there is only one choice..RACIST UMNO.

Anonymous said...

Dear Terence,
Normally, I would put my name there. Well, it's not the matter about take it or leave it. It makes you think deeper.
Really, so then what! What's your game plan? Anyway, nobody is stupid to bring back the good old days of BN politics. Unless you wanna start your own party.
Think of the present political realities, Terence

Dear Tony,
It's truly a good thing to woo Zaid into DAP. He's truly a Malaysian. It fits the Malaysian Malaysia.
I have always dreamed that one day, Malaysia would truly be secular. Muslim nation due to majority of them are muslims but fervently secular like Turkey.
We truly needs young Turks to overturn the baffoons especially some known UMNO folks.
Malaysia shall be Turkey no 2.

Regards,
Timothy

Victor said...

tony,

i was your biggest fan when you were running for MP. I was also a big fan of Jeff Ooi.

Now my goodwill is gone. shattered.

both of you are the same: politicking all the time. using your blogs to slam the other party. making smartass comments about UMNO and MCA.

do you know why people voted you in? it is not because you are an astute political commentator. it is because we expect you to bring change.

the other day, i wrote an email to jeff ooi. i asked him, is he doing his job? how come i don't see any results? a golf course for penang? comeon..something newer please. he replied, "I'll give you money to run for MP next time, if you think you know how to do my job better."

he claims that it is difficult to work as MP. he had to leave his family behind. he had to do a lot "fire fighting" behind the scenes.

fine. accepted. but please, stop all the commentating and tell us what are your results so far.

for example, he complains about the MMCC a lot. so what is being done? is he going to sue MCMC? is he organising a forum on MCMC?

you. you complain a lot about our standard of education. now what are you going to do about it? all the things you said in your blog, they are nothing but complaints. how about an action plan? a doable action plan. how about recruiting professionals (ex headmasters, tokoh guru, professors) to help you devise a concrete strategy to fix our system?

please MPs, please don't only talk and complain. you are not allowed to do so. we bloggers can do so. you MPs have to do your job!

Anonymous said...

Those who want quick changes and think opposition should stop politicking, go back to your mother and get your breat milk.. Its just plain stupid to expect change to come even within one term. Even if opposition control the Federal govt, it would be a tough task. This is like turning a big tanker with a sampan paddle. We would be lucky to begin to see some change at the end of one term...

Anonymous said...

As long as MCA is within BN, I regard all these as 'sandiwara'. Just don't bother lah.