Posted on by Kit

No Difference With or Without

By Kee Thuan Chye

PRIME Minister Najib Razak has changed his tack in relating to the Chinese electorate. He seems to have discarded his role of the charmer who spun 1Malaysia hogwash to win Chinese hearts and minds. He is now threatening them instead.

He’s telling them that if they don’t support Barisan Nasional (BN) at the next general election, they will not have representation in the Government. This is because Chua Soi Lek, the MCA president, has declared that his party will not accept government positions if they don’t get Chinese support.

Najib’s switch to a threatening mode shows that he’s desperate. He clearly must be after what has happened in the recent Sarawak state elections, when the Chinese dumped the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) in favour of the Opposition. Despite Najib’s 10-day campaign in the state, the Chinese there did not show him any face. They are simply fed-up with the corrupt BN Government and they want reform. But for BN, the loss of Chinese support, especially in Sarawak, with the possible spread to Sabah, could be crucial at the next general election.

Chua has since come forward to say that Najib was not issuing a threat but only making a “statement of fact” in response to the MCA’s proposed stand. But knowing the kind of pakat-pakat (conniving) politics practiced by BN, one is more likely to believe that Najib and Chua had both cooked up this ploy together right from the start – to supposedly strike fear in the hearts of the Chinese.

But should the Chinese be cowed? Should they worry if they had no representation in government – to be specific, the BN Government? Why should they? What has MCA (and Gerakan) representation in the Government done for them? Hasn’t Chua woken up to the fact that it is because the Chinese feel the MCA has been useless in BN that they dumped the party in 2008?

And as if to reaffirm the hopeless situation that both the MCA and Gerakan are in, the same day Najib issued his threat, Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali issued his own – warning the two parties to stop bringing up sensitive issues or risk having their candidates undermined at the next general election. By this, Ibrahim meant Perkasa would urge Malays not to vote for the MCA and Gerakan. He even insisted that both parties must defend the Malays and Islam before they should get Malay votes.

Of course, we can dismiss Perkasa as a minnow that appears bigger than it really is because its president has a loud mouth and exaggerates his own importance. But it is no less humiliating for the MCA and Gerakan to be publicly chided in this fashion. What’s more, big brother Umno has made no move to chide Perkasa back, which merely underscores the weakness of the lesser parties.

Should the Chinese support such weak parties? If the MCA and Gerakan were to remain in the BN Government after the next general election – and that’s assuming BN wins – they would merely be playing the same old second fiddle. Supporting them would probably just give them a chance to continue to get a share of the loot, like the MCA did in the PKFZ scandal. Why elect them for that purpose?

In any case, if the MCA wants to turn down government positions, that’s its own business. It has no right to put the onus on the Chinese or attempt to blackmail them.

Threats won’t work. Chua should know that. So should Najib. Former prime minister Abdullah Badawi issued the same threat on the eve of the 2008 general election; it was on the front page of mainstream newspapers. The Chinese didn’t give a damn; in fact, they were even more pissed off. Taib Mahmud did the same in the run-up to the Sarawak state elections. The Chinese told his coalition to go fly a kite.

If Najib wants to win back the Chinese, he has to take positive, radical measures. He has to assure them that the Government would be squeaky clean, that there would be no more rent-seeking, that the country’s institutions will be respected, that the Government will strictly follow the rule of law, that the Chinese would have a place under the Malaysian sun as is guaranteed by the Federal Constitution.

It will not be enough for him to merely say that he will attend to these things; he has to be seen to be doing it. Because talk is cheap. The reason the Chinese don’t buy his 1Malaysia drivel is that it’s precisely nothing but drivel. In reality, nothing has been done to make things better for them. And meanwhile, the corruption and the rent-seeking continue. The Chinese realise more and more that the taxes they pay are going to the wrong causes. But what are they getting in return? Has there even been an improvement in the quality of Malaysian life?

The MCA and Gerakan have failed them. They are as culpable in the corruption that has set this country back. Their leaders get shouted down each time they make a squeak about any issue that displeases Umno. They get insulted by Umno seniors like Nazri Aziz and Hishammuddin Hussein.

Why should the Chinese want any party to represent them that has no cojones?

In fact, the MCA is a reminder to them of what a disgrace it is to Chinese dignity. As for Gerakan, whenever a politically aware Chinese person says something about its president, Koh Tsu Koon, they would accompany it with spittle. And they don’t even have to be from Penang.

The greatest irony about Najib’s threat is that for one who espouses 1Malaysia, he should even have entertained the thought. A truly 1Malaysia government would not look at race in its appointment of ministers. It would serve all races, whether or not there are Chinese representatives among its Cabinet. And if indeed the MCA did pull out of government positions and Najib still craved to see Chinese faces at Cabinet meetings, he could still do what he has done before – appoint non-politicians, like he did Idris Jala. Or appoint Chinese from other BN parties. If they haven’t been duly elected, he could simply make them senators first. He’s not new at that game either.

So, whatever it is, the Chinese have nothing to worry about. With or without representation in government, there is no difference – they will still be as they are. Chua and his MCA can do what they like; it won’t matter anyhow. The Chinese will vote according to their conscience. After all, they have a saying: “It is better to die a hero than to survive in disgrace.” Perhaps the MCA should take note of that before the next general election.

42 Replies to “No Difference With or Without”

  1. ///But knowing the kind of pakat-pakat (conniving) politics practiced by BN, one is more likely to believe that Najib and Chua had both cooked up this ploy together right from the start – to supposedly strike fear in the hearts of the Chinese.///

    If I could remember well, the same scare-tactic had also been used by BN during Mahathir time prior to the general election.

  3. With regards to Chinese representations in the Cabinet…

    Please do not play the race card. We only need a Malaysian to represent us. No specific Malays, Chinese, Indians or other races. Be it spotted or stripe…..

    After all these years, there is no difference..

    The new and younger generations with the internet will not buy into the “old stories” that spin out of control… just like a gasing.

    They are more informative and they do not succumb to mind or brain washing.

    So wake up to the true facts.

  5. Using the MCA to threaten the Chinese is like water off the duck’s back. The Chinese know that MCA is nothing more than a partner in crime for UMNO. This is a standard Ali Baba practice for the past 30 years – the source of Najib’s “Lu Tolong Gua, Gua Tolong Lu” inspiration.

    What does the latest batch of MCA leaders represent ? Look at the Tourism Ministry. The MCA Minister has taken over where Azalina left off – contracts to friends and cronies. Look at Ling – charged with misleading Mamakthir. Look at Chan – charged with misleading Badawi. Look at the current MCA president – hardly a representation of upright morality and leadership by example.

    The real problem here is that UMNO doesn’t know how to steal properly without cooperation from MCA operatives or, in the PKFZ case, MCA scapegoats.

  6. This is how BN work, MCA would politically-wayang-kulit Umno, hold the Chinese community in ransom for votes!, it has been too long that way, enough is enuf!

    The whole world is changing, the people powers, the Jasmine Revolution in Middle East, North Africa impacting world political believe, M’sia included.

    After the Bersih rally, after 308, the ground sentiment changed, the political landscape change, applying what work during Mahathir’s time might not work now, that is what CSL and Najib fail to appreciate.

    With PKR, PAS and Pakatan, Chinese are not alone; we don’t think CSL and Najib can spin racial fear into Chinese community anymore.

    Really, CSL should go one step further by ‘ta pau’ MCA if they did badly next GE, as the 1st step to move BN out of racial politic. Maybe, they should join umno or perkasa, in line of their motto ‘change from within’, CSL and his Presidential Council should seriously think of this.

  7. MCA does not represents the vast
    Malaysian Chinese for a long long time.
    It was proven at the lowest at the 12th GE.
    Najib have switched to threatening mode.
    Why are we surprised.
    He has always been trying all sorts of ways to fool Malaysians.
    With no good results to get rid of Muslims supporting keDAILan and PAS…it is in his mind that Malaysian Chinese are very important to him now.
    His so call security blanket…Sarawak showed that Malaysian Chinese there are supporting DAP much more than before.
    Najib is feeling insecured and desperate.
    His way to corner Chinese votes with threats and conditions will not work.
    CSL and MCA know they need UMNO B Malay votes much more.
    Najib cannot deliver moreMalay votes.
    MCA is loosing support from the Chinese.
    Anwar is getting more and more Muslim votes.
    And the economy is frustrating all Malaysians including UMNO B memers.
    The natural course of the downfall of UMNO B have begun….brought about….by Mahathir and Najib…most of all.

  9. Chua Soi Lek played down Najib’s obvious threat to a mere “statement of fact” exposed him truly & clearly that he is nothing but a thorough breed “RUNNING DOG ” for UMNO!!!!!

  11. What a desperate move. Must be scared silly by SUPP’s near death experience. MCA’s threat might be making its own dead wish come true on GE13. If by not doing better than the last election, almost bound to happen, imagine the exodus of those ministrial-position chasers losing their main incentive. But again, who cares if they are not there within the cabinet lineup “representing the Chinese”. The true “Chinese Representatives” or better yet “Malaysian Representatives” are the ones working hard 24/7 for the betterment of the country and not be expecting anything in return. The BN-MCA collusion may back fire when voters understand that they are there to serve and not threatening not to serve. You are fired!

  12. We have at last see the true colour of UGLY UMNO & MCA, now that MCA has taken down its mask. Why has MCA has to fight for OUR AUTHOMATIC RIGHTS AS A CITIZEN OF MALAYSIA; like universities places, civil services jobs, scholarships, business licences, full subsidies to our primary schools and our our land rights ?????
    As long as MCA & MIC still exist, Indian and Chinese in Malaysia will be 5th casts of citizen.
    Tell Najib that our votes will only go to the party that treats us with dignity; ie all equal rights for all Malaysia born citizens

  14. CSL’s problem is that the “Money Conquers All” party (MCA) cannot effectively represent its traditional constituency if it is subservient all the time to the “U Must Not Object” party (UMNO). Why it cannot even represent its own ex presidents whey they appear to be the only ones taking the rap for the PKFZ fiasco! If such subservient representation were the very reason why support for it faltered, would it make sense to tout such representation as a bait to secure return of Chinese support that left in first instance because of it? Besides if MCA serves UMNO’s purpose to maintain charade of multi racial cabinet dominated by UMNO & its agenda, then naturally why not let UMNO constituency vote its politicians in? PM’s problem is that there’s powerful faction within that thinks UMNO would prevail in polls without MCA & Chinese votes. Hence the ultimatum- either accept subservient representation or no representation – either way for many Chinese voters like Kee Thuan Chye, it makes no difference. Indeed to see MCA punished appears to be a greater incentive and satisfaction than suffer the charade of its sham representation. CSL’s brinkmanship will backfire if such an attitude prevails amongst MCA’s traditional constituency.

  15. Even if mca and gerakan loses all the seats they contest in the 13GE, I expect at least 10 senatorships will be given to them and these senators will then be inducted into the cabinet as ministers and deputy ministers, as shown by Ah Koon and others today

  16. According to Kee “Taib Mahmud did the same in the run-up to the Sarawak state elections and the Chinese told his coalition (SUPP) to go fly a kite”. It was hilarious that MCA, rejected in Semenanjung tried to assist SUPP resulting in latter flying kite. The help from MCA was as futile as trying to borrow a comb from a bald monk.

    However Kee might not be right about Taib Mahmud. It was Semenanjung’s UMNO top guns that campaigned over a week there and likely put the challenge of “Vote BN or no Representation” there. What makes anyone think Taib Mahmud won’t have Chinese representation in state cabinet though SUPP lost?
    Taib/PBB is rock solid with Melanau seats. They’re in BN only because of tacit understanding (since TDM’s time) of non interference by UMNo in his back door fiefdom. If truth be known he is irked by both Najib’s UMNO as well as Anwar’s PKR’s attempts to gain political foothold in his back yard!

    For this reason Kit/DAP’s proposed merger with SNAP to expand PR’s presence in Sarawak is logical. For PKR cannot play that role for Anwar is not liked either in Sarawak or Sabah by reason of what he did when he was a 2nd top UMNO honcho trying to expand UMNO’s dominance to these 2 East Malaysian states.

  17. the chinese porn star is now a gangster threatening the Chinese. but this anjing has no balls to make similar threats to umno. you all MCA don’t want to accept ministerial post we don’t care ok. malu only if you guys accept. Pkfz, woof woof.

  18. DAP’s winning SUPP’s seats is not a disaster at all to Pek Moh (rock solid with Melanau seats) for it means UMNO/BN cannot extend their interference (like it did in Sabah) to his back yard or take him for granted, advise him when to leave or when not to. For without PBB’s solid vote the fixed deposit status in Sarawak will become Overdraft!

    Also there’s no love lost between the local chieftain & the PR’s chief. PKR will be resisted all the way in manner not so much than DAP or reasons above. It makes sense for DAP (than PKR) (after SUPP’s decimation) to play a greater role for PR in Sarawak, the first step of which is perhaps merger with SNAP.
    Najib’s problem in next poll is that he has to manage and keep within UMNO’s hegemony not only a Chinese based party like MCA but also a “Bumi” based one like PBB where “Bumi” here, Melanau and not necessarily synonymous to UMNo’s traditional constituency in terms of agenda and concerns. He has to juggle balance between the need of MCA to be seen independent and the problem of PBB being really independent as against the “ultra” faction within his own party that asserts the Malay agenda aggressively over the political interests of these two component parties (MCA & PBB), which no matter what the ultras contend, still play a not insignificant role in BN’s overall electoral success.

  20. I think jibby jib with his typical umno mentality has forgotten one important fact. All of these have nothing to do with “support” or “dont support”. They are all about “accept” or “reject”. Well may be “dismiss” is the better word as compared to “reject”.

    You see electorates are boss and gobermen are servants elected by electorates. If gobermen are good, electorates will continue to accept them, otherwise they will be dismissed. At the moment, electorates in malaysia are begining the dismissal movement.

    So you see, not only has jibby jib got it so so wrong, he has actually gone further than that. He sounded stupid for he has the audacity to demand support and worse, to threaten ill consequences upon electorates if they do not support umno.

    Then again I read all of that as the final kicks of a dying cat. I must not be bothered by his remarks so much, then. Yeah. I should just look forward to the day when the country will be without umno. That will be quite quite soon.

    Yeah! Relak bro.

  21. Najib is contented …living in a false dream he is People’s PM when he was never elected by the People at all.
    Naturaly..he will say..his appointment by UMNO kingpins represents the people ….which is half truth.
    But the half truth have expired long ago..as he could prove he is People’s PM by declaring the 13th GE…like his predecessors..within 6 months holding the appointed position.
    Najib have held his false position near 3 years!!
    He is the first “PM” to use the mosque for politics..and one more followed him..right now.
    All of a sudden..the house of prayers for pureness turned to UMNO B’s race and politics openly.
    MCA is not worth talking about because MCA is nothing after 12th GE.
    CSL can claim MCA represents Malaysian Chinese as much as he wants….for he shows no principle in life at all.
    Having said all….and after Sarawak election…Malaysians are still waiting for the13th GE.
    Why the delay?

  22. Mr Kee and fellow right-minded Malaysians.
    Forget what these past-the-shelf-date politicians say or do.
    They are completely irrelevant to all of us.
    Just go all out to garner votes for the PR for the next GE!
    Especially in the hinterland of Malaysia, both East and West.
    There is absolutely no other way!
    JUST DO IT!
    NOW!!!

  23. Not again! Threats, threats, threats. Don’t BN know that it doesn’t work.
    In the 2008 elections, many Malaysians voted according to what they think is right, while some voted under the threats spewed out by BN. What happened was four more states came under the Pakatan Rakyat, making it a total of 5, and all Malaysians are represented in the PR governments. Malays who voted for PKR or PAS or DAP are represented in the state governments. Chinese, Indians and other Malaysians who voted for PKR or PAS or DAP are also represented in these state governments.
    So, to hell with BN’s threats.

  25. Pink lips is now treating the Chinese community as if they were his play things, flirting with them using his womanizing charm…if no favorable response resulted, he goes for the kill. C4 the tongsan Chinamen!…since he has the obedient UMNO thambys in his pocket.
    Does the Chinese really care, with or without ministers in the UMNO administration…same difference!
    This political eunuch, UMNO PM failed to realize we may even have a deputy PM or returning the Minister Finance position back to the Chinese in the PR govt! What say you Anwar?

  27. All these years many voters hv been CONNED 2 believe dat hving MCA, Gerakan, SUPP, MIC etc inside BN, d welfare of nonMalays will b looked after by UmnoB-led gomen
    Remember these: Work inside with us, whisper (no need 2 yell) in2 my ears 2 get things done
    All LIES of cos, as within BN, UmnoB is boss n bullies others, including MahCaiAhqua (MCA)

    In d last 3 yrs after 308, nonMalays n rakyat got a slightly better deal fr racist UmnoB/BN in certain race-related issues
    Y? Bcos UmnoB realised it cannot fool nonMalays all d time n nonMalays r rejecting MCA, Gerakan, MIC, SUPP, etc
    UmnoB tried 2 b less racists a little bit n dangled some carrots 2 entice voters 2 support MCA, Gerakan, MIC, SUPP, etc
    So, actually rakyat get a better deal by REJECTING MCA, Gerakan, MIC, SUPP, etc

    NR came out with dis 1M’sia thingy 2 hoodwink rakyat, but also appeased UmnoB Malays by hving 1Melayu 1Bumi thingy
    Now MMK’s botak son came out with dis Umno College n Umno scholarship thingy

    D truth remains: racist UmnoB divides n rules 2 remain in power 2 jiak jiak jiak duit haram
    It’s high time voters GET RID of UmnoB/BN so dat our nation can harness all its intellectual capital n human resources 2 progress n prosper

  28. ///“I (CSL) said very simply that the Malay special rights is entrenched in the constitution under article 153 and in order to remove that you require two-thirds and you also need the ruler’s council approval even if you get approved in parliament,” he said today. ///–MalaysianInsider

    Chua Soi Lek has obviously not read the constitution of Malaysia to claim that there is such a provision as special rights for Malays. Article 153 merely states that Malays are placed in a special position to be assisted. If he has read the Reid Commission report which explained why Article 153 was included, he would have realized that the special position is an issue of ability, and it is not a right because of birth place, race or religion. The description of those who needed help was categorized by race for convenience of implementation. He should also realize that Article 153 was subject to review after 15 years. The review was the main issue of election manifesto during the 1969 election. If that article was permanent, the issue of review should not have arisen in 1969, two years ahead of the time when a review of the article was to take place. Tun Abdul Razak in 1972 amended the constitution to require approval of the Ruler for amendment to Article 153 while he introduced NEP which extended in scope of assistance to Malays as well as duration. The 20-year duration for NEP effectively doubled the time Article 153 was intended to serve. Chua Soi Lek either is ignorant about this or is too stupid to understand. His ignorance or stupidity shows that he is not fit to be President of MCA, apart from his conduct acting in a widely circulated video.

    What needs to be removed immediately is NEP which has been in place more than doubles the time. NEP is not written in the constitution and does not require the approval of the King, if UMNO agrees, to have it removed. CSL tries to use the constitution to tie his own hands when he is free to tell UMNO to drop NEP. Obviously he has not the balls to say so, either in private, or in public. CSL can’t even openly tell UMNO to conduct a proper evaluation as to whether the 30% equity target on which NEP extension was based, and it has been proven by experts that the government lies with irrelevant statistics in claiming that the target had not been achieved. The infamous son-in-law of the sleepy head former PM asked for the target of 30% to be revised upwards. He obviously knew that the government statistics were unreliable, and he wanted NEP to continue, by force of muscles. Yet Chua Soi Lek was stupid enough to urge the government to go slow on the 30% as if NEP should continue forever. Chua Soi Lek is simply despicable.

  29. When you have the biggest liar….a totaly insincere PM…who is one screw loose…what do you expect?
    Mahathir knew exactly who Najib is…….yet he appointed him to lead…amongst many more qualified than Najib.
    That mamak in the master of all things bad.

  30. YES, d saddest thing in M’sia is after ~50 yrs of existence, d ruling gomen still has dis SILO mindset: I, Melayu; U, nonMelayu – N dis mindset is NOT 4 d benefits of ALL Malays, but 4 a small grp of opportunistic Malays 2 exploit d nation n enrich themselves n their cronies

  33. MCA leaders are just like mat rempits’bohsias bohsias(playmates),flirted and dejected.Worst still,reffered as desperado wifes by non other but their sadistic masters.It’s absurd to have Mrs MCA for its misfit representation will further worsen the current situation we are in.Ignore them is the best as they’re still willingly to sell their soul and body for crumbs,lollipops,rock candy..Real candy-ass!!Mrs MCA,if you don’t like,suck it!!!

  36. A very incisive article about the present state of affairs of the MCA, especially of its emasculated head and his dream of revitalising the moribund party.
    Since his very existance as the head of MCA is being the running dog of master, Najib of UMNO, Chua Soi Lek has no say whatsoever about the fate of the Chinese in Malaysia. CSL can pretend to be the leader of the Chinese but he personally knows that he is a ‘has been’ where the educated and knowledgeable Chinese are concerned. The tax-paying Chinese have come up by their intelligence, intellect, deligence and by sheer hard work. The MCA has only helped some of their rich towkays to become richer. The MCA has not even helped Chinese education per se. Almost all Chinese schools are better than the national schools because the Chinese pay (pun intended) more importance for a better and holistic education than the politically inspired education meted out in national schools.

    Najib and his rabid racist followers in UMNO with the help of CSL can threaten all they want of the repercussions of not voting for Barisan Neraka, but after 308, nobody really cares. 308 showed the vulnerablity of UMNO/ MCA/GERAKAN/MIC/PPP and many of its component parties. 308 wiped out the invinciblity of most of the leaders of Barisan Neraka so much so nobody cares for these rotten, corrupted politicians.

    Najib has only been peddaling his 1Malaysia and promoting himself MCA and MIC public functions. He has yet to deliver any tangible reform to uplift the downtrodden Malays, Chinese and Indians. He has not lifted a finger to remove the inequalities in the system of governance. He has not even shown he is the PM of all Malaysians. He is still behaving as the UMNO youth president who threatened to spill the blood of the Chinese. He is so scared of his unstable position in UMNO that he can’t even make the rogues such as his deputy from toeing the 1Malaysia concept. He is so neutered by Mamak Kutty and other warlords in UMNO that he is not able to withdraw Interlok as a prescribed book for secondary education. This inablity aptly shows he is not for all Malaysians but the rabid UMNOputras.
    Not only the MCA but all the other component parties should rethink of their position in Barisan Neraka. They should collectively withdraw their support of UMNO in BN and demand their rights and privileges as enshrined in the constitution. Would they do it? Are they capable of such extreme sacrifice for the rakyat who voted them in?
    If only money, position, titles and the innate need for apple polishing are their priorities, then they should be prepared to be dumped into the wastebin of political oblivion at the 13 GE.

  37. This whole threat business has been described as ‘desperation’, ‘irresponsible’, ‘irrelevant’, and many more. However, what I would describe is is ‘impotence’ – the impotence of the Chinese community to control and make their leaders accountable for their actions and words. Even if 80% of the Chinese voters vote against MCA, they would still be able to win a few seats if the Malay vote holds.

    So the correct perspective on this whole episode is to shout that MCA is tyring to cheat the Malays by extreme servitude proving they are the political eunuchs we have said they are for a long time. CSL recent statement is simply consistent with servile nature of eunuchs. During the last days of the eunuch in China, even after being thrown out of the palace, they continued to defend the Emperor, even attempting to revive it after everyone else has given up on it and they threatened, abused people who did not support their cause.

    The issue is not about the ‘threat’, but rather the nature of servile political eunuchy of MCA. Our history tells us, they are capable of great damage even as they are eventually turned into ignominy.

  38. LTL of MCA said that MCA is not a racist party. But UMNO declares that it fights for Malays. MCA unable to fight for Chinese in the mould of UMNO, and calling itself non-racist should cease to eb member of BN. Don’t wait for the next election.

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