Keng Yaik admits to beggary

BN component parties 'like beggars', says Keng Yaik

PETALING JAYA (May 12, 2008): Gerakan adviser Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik has likened MCA, Gerakan and MIC to "beggars" in the Barisan Nasional (BN) as the coalition did not treat its component parties equitably.

Criticising the lack of equitability in BN, Lim stressed that although the constitution guarantees the special rights of the Malays, it also safeguards the rights of non-Malays.

He said he believed that the people, who had indicated in the recent general election their desire for multi-racial parties to work together, would also want the BN to become a multi-racial political set-up which treats all people equitably.

Lim said this in an interview with Sin Chew Daily in which he gave his views on the new political order in the country and the shape of things to come.

The former Gerakan president and former Energy, Water and Communications Minister predicted that Umno-led BN's model of cooperation will be discarded by the people one day.

He also foresaw that the coalition will change the way it operates given another two general elections.

He felt that under such circumstances, race-based parties like Umno, MCA and MIC will have to disband if BN goes multi-racial.

He said over-emphasis on cooperation among race-based parties will not make the people comfortable.

The people not only hope to see BN become a coalition of multi-racial parties but also want BN to play roles that reflect its multi-racial characteristics.

Lim pointed out that 39 years after the May 13, 1969, riots, the people have seen through the domination of a race-based party.

He said the fact that there was no repeat of the (May 13) bloodshed when the Opposition won big this time around showed the maturity of the people.

He said although Gerakan espouses political multi-racialism, it suffered a major setback in the general election mainly because its candidates were fielded in non-Malay-majority constituencies.

"Why were the non-Malays angry with BN? (It's) Because of the arrogance of Umno, the dominant party in BN. Many people also felt uneasy with the racist remarks made by Umno leaders. These had also caused all BN component parties to suffer in the polls."

He believed that if BN takes the multi-racial path, at least Umno leaders would be more careful with what they say in the future.

MCA says - No criss-crossing!

The Star, Saturday April 26, 2008

MCA to transform itself

MCA is set to transform itself and change the negative perception that it is subservient to Umno.

Party president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, in an exclusive interview with Sin Chew Daily, said some people have such a perception of the relationship between Umno and MCA when in fact the two parties are partners that respect each other.

“MCA hopes to see its transformation take shape in the next six months. This will enable the people to see the changes in MCA in three years or sooner,” he said. Ong also said that the six-month time frame had nothing to do with the party election. “We want to let people see the changes in MCA in terms of style, strategy and action within a short period of time.

“Such changes will not be window-dressing tactics which cannot withstand the test of time,” he said. Apart from retaining its tradition, Ong said the policies, methods and vision adopted for the party would have to be multi-racial and international in nature.

“When we stress the value of language, culture and traditional beliefs, we also want to focus on multi-racial issues, freedom of religion, human rights and to have the Federal Constitution safeguard the interests of various ethnic groups in the country.

“We need to change faster in order to relay the signal to Umno that partners need to change with time,” he said. Ong added that all parties in the Barisan Nasional coalition should be held responsible for the defeat in the recent election and fingers should not be pointed at each other.

“All parties under Barisan should transform and not force people to accept unreasonable matters.” He hoped MCA would be able to win back the seats it lost in the next general election and Barisan should be moving in the same direction.

On the possibility of MCA MPs crossing over to the Opposition, Ong said it would not happen.

“MCA will also not lure Opposition MPs to join the party,” he said.

MCA - no more running dogs!

The Star, Saturday April 26, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR: The MCA will stand firm on what the Federal Constitution has provided for all races and will not let its spirit and definition be misinterpreted, said party president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting.

As part of efforts to transform the party, he said MCA would break away from racial politics to fight for the rights of all races in religion, education, economy, politics and culture as stated in the Constitution. “We are still a Chinese-based political party but our ways, direction and approach are for all races. We will give equal attention to what the multiracial community is concerned about and the MCA will speak, work and fight for them,” he said.

He added that the party would help build multiracial relationships on the basis of respecting and understanding each other as well as correct people’s perception that it was Umno’s running dog.

“It is only fair that we have genuine partnerships. There will be no more (perception of) who is on top or who is the follower,” he said, adding that the party wants mutual respect.