For the past 50 years, MCA has been the bedrock of the Chinese community, championing linguistic, economic and political interests. But today it finds itself at a crossroads.
All signs, especially after the Sarawak state election, point that the community is now throwing its support for the fledgling Pakatan Rakyat, in particular its component party DAP, leaving MCA in its most precarious situation to date.
In an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini , MCA president Chua Soi Lek said he believes the Chinese community had long exhibited sophisticated pragmatism when it comes to voting, ensuring a healthy mix of its representatives on both sides of the Dewan Rakyat floor.
But of late, he laments, this balancing act has gone awry.
"The Chinese are a very strategic community. They want somebody in the government to articulate their frustrations, (but) they also want a strong opposition to keep (check) on the government.
"But sometimes, when they do this balancing act, they go haywire," said Chua, who has seen 35 years of politicking.
He explains that, deep down, the Chinese community still wants to ensure that they are represented in BN government, but since the community can't coordinate among themselves, they have ended up with more representatives in the opposition.
"So in their heart, they said ‘Oh, I want to have a stronger opposition'. But in the end, everybody have voted for the opposition (resulting in) nobody in government," he said.
During the 2008 general election, MCA won only 15 out of 40 parliamentary seats contested and 32 out of 90 state legislative assembly seats, primarily falling to its arch rival DAP.
Unappreciative, not objective
Chua admits that though the Chinese community was likely to be ready to end BN's 54-year uninterrupted rule of the country, this decision was made without objectivity and the community was unappreciative of MCA's effort - a point he made three times during the hour-long interview.
"The BN government isn't a perfect government. BN has a lot of weaknesses, corruption, abuse of power and it is not living up to its words. But having said that, if you look at the opposition, have they done anything better than us?
"Has Kelantan done better than all the other states? Have Kedah done better than all the other BN states? My answer is no," he said.
Taking Selangor as an example, Chua said Pakatan had made a mess out of the Sungai Buloh nursery and the Kampung Kerandang land controversy, while allowing "thousands" of reflexology and entertainment outlets to flourish in Klang.
He also points out that Kedah and Penang had allowed the water tariff to increase by 20 percent while Penang was now running on a deficit budget, which he expects to deepen next year.
"So people must be critical. Critical (both on) the (BN) government and the opposition (Pakatan). Then it's fair. But at the rate we are going, the government can do no right, opposition can do no wrong.
"If there is the mentality that (the Chinese community) have, then I think we are in trouble. Everybody has weaknesses, everybody has its strengths. So based on this critical assessment, then you make an informed decision and not just based on spinning," he said.
‘ Study our achievements '
Chua invites the Chinese community to look at MCA's contributions past and present, particularly in the field of education.
Over the past year, he said his team has successfully lobbyied for more federal funding for Chinese primary schools, better recognition for the
United Examination Certificate (UEC)
and helped develop mutual recognition of university degrees between Malaysia and China.
He listed Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) and Kolej Tengku Abdul Rahman (Ktar) as one the party's most important achievements, making MCA the party with the most direct contributions to tertiary education in the country.
"What is remarkable is the fees are competitive, one of the lowest. Where can you get fees for RM5,000? No more. And it is giving quality education.
"But this is the fact that people that is not appreciated by a lot of people. People take it for granted," he said, adding that DAP was among the biggest culprits.
Chua remarked that the Chinese community is somehow ignoring the fact that its education needs are not being addressed by Pakatan or DAP, and it is not an agenda in the coalition's Buku Jingga manifesto.
"But I dare to say that DAP has done nothing for education, other than issuing press statements. I dare to say that they have nothing to show, except telling the government they want this and that on education," he said.
‘ It is MCA, not DAP, which resolves issues'
Expanding on his assertion that the Chinese community now thinks "Pakatan can do no wrong", Chua surmised that it was simply because their publicity efforts, or "spinning" as he calls it, were well executed.
"Once they hit the stage, they will sing about how well they have been doing. So that is why I mentioned some of their weaknesses earlier," he said.
On MCA's decision not to seek
cabinet appointments
if the party performs badly in the next general election, Chua said the Chinese community had failed to comprehend the challenges and efforts of the party in the past.
"You see, a lot of people simplify things. I was in the government - state and federal. From 1990 until I resigned in 2008. That's 18 years," he said.
"But a lot of Chinese don't appreciate the fact that it is we who bring all the Chinese problems to the table, either at federal level.
"But whatever we all bring, doesn't mean it all will be solved. In the same way, Umno ministers and excos bring all the Malay problems to the table, it doesn't mean it all gets solved.
"If it is all solved, then there won't be any Malay opposition parties. Don't you agree?" asked Chua.
Chua reiterated that if the party does not receive the mandate from the Chinese community during the next general election, then it has no right to represent the community.
Part 1: Soi Lek: Chinese balancing act has gone awry
Part 2: Soi Lek's faith in 1M'sia to oust Perkasa 'nuisance'
Part 3: Chua wants scholarships system revamped
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