LETTER | Why does DAP Socialist Youth chief Howard Lee Chuan How only focus on slamming MCA on the issue of matriculation placements, but does not solve the grievances?

The problem now is that DAP is so helpless and powerless in the Cabinet that it cannot soften the Cabinet decision to retain the 90:10 bumiputera quota for matriculation courses. However, Lee has instead berated MCA, despite our party being in the opposition! This is simply ridiculous!

In shifting attention away from DAP, Lee, in fact, acknowledges that DAP has no say in the Cabinet and is a political party outside the system, despite now being in the mainstream Pakatan Harapan government.

It is disheartening to see DAP flaming the fires and deems it necessary to point the finger at the new opposition party which wields no power within Putrajaya’s decision-making on policies. DAP may have Cabinet ministers, but these are window dressing without any real or de facto powers.

Education Minister Maszlee Malik had justified the need for the bumiputera quota for the matriculation programme on the groundless claim that the private sector denies job opportunities to bumiputeras because they do not know Mandarin.

Minister in the Prime Minister Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa was very defensive of Maszlee’s statement, stressing that the education minister’s remarks were a Cabinet decision.

Youth and Sports Minister Syed Sadiq Syed Abdul Rahman claimed that it was a collective Cabinet decision to defend Maszlee. Even if Lee has any objections or doubts, he can easily consult any of the Cabinet ministers for further understanding and a clearer picture of the problem.

Therefore, Lee must make it clear that DAP ministers are Ministers of Action and not silent in the Cabinet from the start till the end. Do not simply pinpoint at MCA.

Lee’s purpose is quite obvious. It is to conceal the fact that DAP failed to balance its coalition partner Bersatu and is, therefore, making MCA the convenient target. This must be highlighted to Lee.

If Lee has not adapted to his status as a member of the new ruling coalition, but instead, repeatedly blames others for DAP’s responsibilities, this only accentuates the incompetence and weakness of the Rocket.

Despite having six Cabinet ministers, six deputy ministers and 42 seats in Parliament, it is woeful that DAP can only maintain a dignified silence in the Cabinet.

RYAN HO KWOK XHENG is a spokesperson for MCA Youth.

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