The Malaysian Insight

MCA must go beyond championing only Chinese education if it wants to return to its former glory, said ex-president Chua Soi Lek.

Chua, who held the post from 2010 to 2013, said the Barisan Nasional component has failed to address the Chinese community’s concerns regarding the worsening economy and rising cost of living.

“There are now many national issues, but the MCA leadership is not focusing on economic matters, not even the rising cost of living faced by the people.

“It is not debating with the ruling parties on how to alleviate the people’s burden. It is just harping on Chinese education and UEC,” he said, referring to the Unified Examination Certificate for Chinese independent schools.

“Before May 9 last year, MCA said it would build more Chinese schools and relocate several. Was that all MCA was capable of as a then ruling party?

“The people want the party to discuss national issues.”

Apart from its narrow focus, the party is also plagued by infighting and money politics, leading to its weakening and ultimate downfall in the last two elections, he said.

In the last MCA polls, Wee Ka Siong won the presidency, while Mah Hang Soon was elected as his deputy. The duo’s rivals, Gan Ping Sieu and Tee Siew Keong, along with members of their faction, did not secure any posts.

“I congratulated Wee. Under his leadership, his team managed a landslide win,” said Chua, said to have backed the Gan-Tee partnership.

He acknowledged that the results signalled a huge loss for his team, but said he had anticipated them.

“We were unlucky in the last elections, but there are still many people holding party positions.”

He said even though MCA was almost wiped out in the 14th general election, he is confident that the party can bounce back if it succeeds in reforming itself.

“I wouldn’t say MCA does not have talent, but I think the party’s problem is infighting.”

He praised Wee’s performance thus far, and reminded that the party grassroots must go beyond MCA’s original purpose.

“Wee is doing quite well, but he is only one man. As an opposition party, you need cooperation, from the grassroots to the state and federal levels.

“If there is only one person speaking up in Parliament, and nobody is backing him up, people won’t feel your presence.” – May 19, 2019.