Malaysia Daily

Let’s Talk About MCA

// November 30th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

The MCA is a Malaysian political part which represents the Malaysian-Chinese ethnicity and is among the three major constituent parties of the Barison Nasional which is the ruling coalition in Malaysia. Along with the other 2 major component parties i.e. United Malays National Organization (UMNO) and Malaysian Indian congress (MIC), MCA continues to have strong forte in the politics of Malaysia. Besides holding over companies like Huaren Holdings, MCA was able to monitor five main media press companies. However, this media press domination has perturbed the Team B of MCA, a sub-division, which has had a row with reporters for breach of press freedom in Malaysia.

Since the time of independence the multi-racial party, Democratic Action Party (DAP) has posed big challenges to MCA. MCA like MIC also performed weakly in 2008 elections losing major contesting seats. Datuk Seri Ong, as the party chairman was not interested in cabinet posts and was fully committed to part restoration plans
Formation:

The Malaysian Chinese association was founded on 27th February, 1949 in opposition to the Malayan communist party, by the KMT members; it was formed with the strong support of British reoccupation authority after World War II and was initially named Malayan Chinese association MCA was first led by army leaders of Kuomintang. . Mr Leong Yew Koh (KMT major general) became cabinet minister and later governor of MCA, Dr Lim Chong Eu became a member of MCA in 1952, Tun Henry H.S. Lee (colonel) was the first finance minister of Malaysia. Tun Tang Ching Lock was the president at the inauguration. MCA members at that time represented their home states and divided accordingly.

Post –May 1969 riots: in the 3rd Malaysian general elections in 1969, MCA could manage to get only 13 parliamentarian seats out of 33. The control of Penang Sate Government was ultimately lost and in 1974, Tan Siew Sin resigned from all party and governmental posts owing to health reasons.

1985-2003: in 1985, Tan Koon Swan, had won with the largest majority in the presidential elections. Next year he was accused of breach of trust in relation to his Singapore business dealings, which gave way to his resignation. Koon Swan initiated Deposit-Taking Cooperatives (DTCs), which was built through investments to gather capital for Chinese Malaysians. The embezzlement of funds created a big scandal and the central bank, Bank Negara Malaysia, froze up to 35 DTCs. The total loss came out to be RM 3.6 billions while only 62% were recovered by the depositors.

Ling Liong Sik, succeeded Koon Swan at a time when the party was still struggling with factionalism and faced resentment from the Chinese community over the recent DTC scandal. Ling had to strive hard to formulate the party’s asset structure and to raise funds nationwide to resolve the financial problems of MCA. Power struggles continued internally with Ling facing challenges from his deputy who later withdrew. Ling then peacefully presided over the party maintaining the Chinese interest through a reserved, planned working within the government. His fund rising proved fruitful in expanding Tunku Abdul Rahman College as well as establishing Tunku Abdul Rahman University in 20012. The general election of 995-99 saw MCA at the peak of its power which gave a boost to its part in the Barison Nasional coalition and improved Ling’s relationship with BN leader and Prime Minister Mahathir Muhammad.

In 1999 factionalism again set its ugly foot in the party. At that time Deputy President Lim Ah Lek was going to announce retirement on the condition that his protégé Chan Kong Choy be nominated to the Cabinet after him. However, Ling broke his agreement and nominated Ong Ka Tung ((Ling’s protégé) instead. This caused grievance among aligned members of Lin and hence “Team B” was formed with Ling faction as “Team A”.

Great aggravation arose when Huaren tried to acquire the daily newspaper Nanyang Siang Pau and was opposed vehemently by Team B . Many Chinese journalists and NGOs demonstrated against this proposed acquisition fearing that TEAM A would have unilateral control of the Chinese media. Eventually Huaren took over the paper and Mahathir, stepped in to suggest a peace treaty to resolve dispute between the factions. The upcoming 2002 elections did not take place as both Lim and Ling stepped down to give way to their respective protégés.

2003-2008
In 2003 the leadership transition took place as expected and led by ONG, MCA contributed hugely to Barison Nasional’s general election victory in 2004. The 2005 part elections however saw both teams running on a united front to counter challenges by vice president Chua Jui Men for president and secretary general Ting Chew Peh for deputy president.
Racial issues once again came to the fore with UMNO Youth chief’s keris-waving publically being the most prominent event . In early 2008, vice president Chua Soi Lek, was scandalized, with his sex footage being circulated in Johor, leading to his resignation from all political position and leaving him o blame his opponents for this evil plot.
The general elections of March 2008 however saw a downturn in MCA’s progress with a win over of only 15 parliamentary and 32 state seats much less than what they won previously. In October 2008, Ong Tee Keat won the elections and Chua Soi Lek re entered while the party saw realignment of its factions. Tee Keat swore reformation to revive the party by brining in more young voters.

2008- present:
Factional disturbances continued even after the leadership change as tension remained between Tee Keat and Chua Soi Lek.. Just before the election a row arose between the two and Ong brought down Chua from his active party role as well as being restricted from government posts. Finally he was sacked on his previous scandal’s basis.
Chua then led his supporters to pass a no-confidence vote against Ong and reinstated Chua within the party at least both continued to remain and decided to have a ‘greater unity plan’ despite their differences. The vice president, Liow Tiong Lai however opposed this plan and wanted new elections after Ong’s loss of vote of confidence. A new leadership crisis arose for the next six months which dispelled after Chua’s resignation. The election took place once again and Chua won presidency defeating Ong Keat while Liow beat Kong Cho Ha in the race to the seat of deputy president. With Chua in presidency and Liow in deputy position a pledge has been taken to cooperate for peaceful running of all party factions.

Raja Petra Threatens To Withdraw Support For Pakatan

// November 16th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin who is living in exile by his choice has warned that he is not going to support Pakatan Rakyat in the by-elections of Galas for the fact that Rakyat does not fulfilled his words given in the general elections of March 2008. Raja currently supports Rakyat; he made a complete statement in London at a dialogue session arranged by Malaysians for him and Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who is also a supporter of Raja on Saturday (2.10.2010).

According to online news portal Raja is discontented with Rakyat and blames him for not keeping his words and doing nothing even though he had power now for little over two and half years in many states. His words are quoted below:

“We have given Pakatan two-and-a-half years but not a single reform has been implemented. Some can be done immediately, some two years, some in 20 years. At least let us see some, then we will be quite happy and we will continue to support Pakatan in every by-election and general election,”

The opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim kept on replying that they were unable to do anything because they do not had sufficient power to implement any reforms. That power lies only with the State Government.

Mustapa Addresses PAS’s Inefficiency In Supply Problems

// November 1st, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

The Umno liaison chief of the state, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamad said that the Kelantan PAS government is inefficient as it is evident from the failure of the government on resolving the issue of water in the majority areas of the state. He said that it has been more than ten years since the country has been a victim of water problems and no solid solution has been provided for the problem. He said that during an interview to The Star that many areas of Kelantan are facing the problems scarcity of water and the problem of poor quality of the water, his words are:

“Water is a basic necessity and if PAS cannot even solve that, then it shows its inefficiency in governing the state. Most parts of Kelantan are experiencing problems due to low water pressure, and even when there is (supply), the water is of poor quality,”

Mr. Mustapa appealed to the voters to select Barisan Nasional in the upcoming by-election of Galas so that people can be properly cared for. The area of Gua Musang, particularly the area of Old Town and the area of Taman Mesra are badly experiencing the problems in the supply of water from the last two weeks.

The youth chief of Gua Musang Umno, Bazlan Baharuddin stated that the situation got worse because of the less pressure of supply of water in the area combined with the increase in new arrival of the people for the up-coming by-elections. He further stated that the state government is taking no action in the area. For this purpose he referred to the breaking down of water generator there, on which no alternative or solution was provided to the people of the area. His exact words are:

“The state government is not acting fast enough to address the problem. It did nothing even after the water generator in Gua Musang Old Town broke down,”

The information chief of Umno Datuk Ahmad Maslan stated that he was unable to offer his prayers of Maghrib at a mosque in the area of Datuk Ahmad Maslan on 30th of October, 2010 because of non availability of water in the area. He has asked the authorities that when the government has already apportioned the funds for the solution of water supply problems then why not the problem of water has been solved till now. His exact words are:

“This is just an example of what is lacking in the PAS government. The Federal Government has already allocated funds to solve the water problem in the state, but why has it not been solved?”

Mr. Ahmad also highlighted that according to Ninth Malaysian Plan the state government had completed development projects in the area of Gua Musang which are worth of more than RM213mil. He said that these projects include various facilities for the people of Gua Musang proving that the Barisan party is doing a lot for the people there. His words are quoted below:

“Among them were hospitals, health centres, various schools and a train station. This proves that the Barisan is the best choice for the people”.

Selayang MCA Chairman Chides MPS For Sealing Desa Kuala Garing Hall

// October 30th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

Reportedly Selayang MCA has severely criticized the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) and the state government for trespassing on a personal asset, the Desa Kuala Garing MCA hall in Rawang. Previous month, MPS was reported to lock the hall and the gate and also removed two signboards situated at the entry-way and the apex of the edifice. Afterwards the inhabitants and some influential people along with Selayang MCA broke the locks and made an entry to the hall.

Tang told that the MCA has given the land inducement and hence the hall now is the property of the party and will be utilized by the local inhabitants. He pointed out that they are in possession of the original documents in which it is clearly mentioned that the Certificate of Fitness for the hall has been conferred on us by MPS on June 24, 2006. However, MPS despite all this, on March 10, put a notice at the hall’s gate in Jalan 4, Desa Kuala Garing, mentioning that they are left with 14 days only to evacuate the place and afterwards they locked the hall.
The action of MPS was basically in accordance with the order by the state government for the local council bodies nearly a year back to get the possession of all the community halls.

Tang, Selayang constituency development chairman, appeared distressed due to this issue like all the other high ups of Desa Kuala Garing MCA. Reportedly Tang had delivered a letter to MPS President Datuk Zainal Abidin pointing out that the hall is the property of MCA which was granted by Associated Pan Malaysia Cement Sdn Bhd, now referred as Lafarge Cement, in 2006.He said he his having a solid evidence of what he is claiming, including an evidence of the sum of money given to the Gombak Land Office in 2005.

Moreover, he told that since this is a personal asset so they will leave no stone unturned in taking it back. He added that they will not violate law in any case due to which now this matter will be resolved by their lawyer who will ask the trespassers to compensate for the mutilation of the personal property.He added that they do not fear from taking this matter to the court even. Elucidating the matter he said that in 1970s a rural establishment was situated around Kuala Garing which needed to be shifted due to the detour of Sungai Rawang.
Afterwards it was shifted to Desa Kuala Garing in 2006, a place, where along with 135 homes and a nursery, the MCA hall is also located.Hence MCA had accepted the contract for the homes, nursery and the hall. Now the Desa Kuala Garing MCA chairman Kee Sai Hong has filed an FIR with the Rawang police against MPS for trespassing on his personal property. Tang added that owing to the conflict over the hall the 135 house proprietors have still not been provided with the land titles. He in the end sourly added that the general public should not be made to suffer by a politicizing this matter.

Minister’s Extravagancy Costs RM 3.25 Million

// October 29th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

It was revealed by undisclosed resources that tourism minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen has used up an astounding RM 3.25 million on her lavish overseas trip. This huge amount was spent in a year’s time since she assumed office.

In order to clarify her extraordinary expenditure Dr. Ng estimated that RM 1.67 million were consumed overseas trip of official nature during the year 2009 and RM 1.58 were spent during a period which lasted from January to October. These facts were revealed from her written reply to Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat (BN – Pandan).

Further detailing the expenditures Dr. Ng emphasized that till October 2010 she has undertaken sixteen visits connecting twenty six countries and sixty one cities since she assumed the tourism minister designation. The reply was made public by Rasah DAP MP Anthony Loke.

Dr. Ng was of the opinion that her numerous promotional visits have yielded rich dividends in form of increased and frequent influx of tourist to Malaysia. According to her since her visits the tourism industry has seen a growth of 5.2%.

“About 16.18 million visitors arrived here between January and August compared with 15.38 million in the same period in 2009,” Dr. Ng was quoted as saying. She further added that “With the rise in tourist arrivals in 2009, the country’s income rose by 7.7% from RM49.56bil in 2008 to RM53.36bil last year.”

Dr. Ng stated that Malaysia is a hot tourist spot and has held the ninth position for the country which receives the most tourist on a per year capacity. This award was bestowed on Malaysia last year. She said that all the foreign country visits she undertook were a part of an elaborate predetermined strategy and played a pivotal role in endorsing Malaysia as a place to visit.

“Foreign tourists will want more information about Malaysia. With these missions, we will be able to interact with their media, relevant agencies and the leaders of the foreign countries,” Dr Ng stated.

In the meantime Loke emphasized and pointed out several mistakes of various natures in tourism brochures that were distributed at Shanghai world expo 2010 for promulgation of Malaysia.

Loke while holding a press conference with Parliament lobby as the venue stated that upon inspection it was revealed that the brochures which were printed in English language contained eleven spelling mistakes.

“One part of a sentence read, ‘To know more about Malaysia, we incite you to step into the Malaysia Pavilion.’

“Taman Negara was spelt ‘Taman Nerara’, visitors became ‘visitous’ and beautiful was spelt ‘beautuful’. How can the writers be so careless?” Mr. Lok was quoted as saying.

Wong: Tender Policy Postponing Ventures

// October 28th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

KUALA LUMPUR: Due to the unwieldy proposal scheme laid out by the Selangor government, many of the rural development ventures have been put on a hold.

According to Dr Wong Sai Hou, the Federal Development coordinator for Petaling Jaya Utara Datuk, the actual reason behind the postponement of these new ventures is due to the Selangor government’s demand for a proposal of RM20, 000 or low for these ventures.

Dr Wong expressed his view in response to what the chairman of New Village Development and Illegal Factories Committee Ean Yong Hian Wah said. According to the chairman, from now onwards all the fresh ventures and plans even if they cost about RM20, 000 will have to require a proposal and would have to be accepted by the councilors.

Earlier on, MCA Public Complaints Bureau, Selangor’s deputy chairman Kelvin Chong accused the government of providing a way too less sum of money for the new villages’ development program. So, in reply to his statement, Ean Yong previous week retorted that RM5.4 mil has been allotted for this project which covers 42 new village development programs and this amount has been allotted keeping in view the requirement plus precedence.

Moreover, Dr Wong kept his hard stance against this policy of demanding nearly all the proposals to get accepted by the executive councilors. He found it extremely lame and unfair as he curtly said “This is ridiculous. What is the land office’s tender board for? According to his opinion instead of getting every proposal accepted by the councilors it basically is the prerogative of the local high ups and the land offices to think over these matters and find a way out.

Lastly, according to Kelvin Chong, all the development ventures worth RM20, 000 can easily get accepted by the district officers as was pointed out by the state circulars and absolutely do not need to wait for getting accepted by the state councilors.

Ngeh War of Mah’s Excuses

// October 27th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, the executive council member of Perak was about to have a debate with state DAP Datuk Ngeh Koo Kam . Surprisingly, Mr. Ngeh doesn’t seem too eager to have a debate or so it seems to Mah who cautions Ngeh against trying to leave the planned debate which was directed at their respective point of view of government policies. Datuk emphasized that the Dap had always alleged that MCA did not have any footing in the formulation of government polices so now Ngeh should not come up with excuses to avoid this debate. This was said at the opening session of Perak Innovation Convention 2010 recently.

Dr Mah clearly stated that he would like to debate as a citizen and a state representative. Ngeh was previously a senior state executive councilor of the Perak government under the authority of Pakatan Rakayat. The need to debate first arose in July during a Chinese dinner where Dr Mah challenged Ngeh to argue effectively on the policies of the two contrasting administrations. Ngeh was all up for the challenge, but wanted Dr Datuk to get permission from the Barisan government to debate on its behalf. The debate was supposed to be held on Nov 1 in Taiping under the moderation of Dr. Cheah.

Komtar Traders Out To Defy PDC

// October 27th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

Regardless of many efforts by the PDC (Penang Development Corporation) of making the merchants leave the place towards the month’s end, a total of 18 kiosk merchants at the level 3 concourse area in Komtar have refused to stir and change their stance.

PDC ordered in April 2010 to move them, in order to get on with the reformation works which are to start in the middle of November.

The deputy president of Komtar Merchants Association Mohamed Ghani Abd Jiman is unwilling to move from that place and has mentioned it clearly in the press conference that PDC can not in any case get them out of that place. He was bitter about the government plus the PDC and alleged that both the authorities are trying to kick their source of income.He declared that despite all the efforts and the tall claims by the authorities the merchants will not stir from their place. He maintained that a couple of merchants have been working here for as long as ten years and it is only now that they have been facing troubles. Moreover, he seemed troubled by this action of the government and PDC and said that their action is nothing less than trying to snatch our source of income. He mentioned that a minute will be presented to the PDC and the state government, requesting them to ponder over their resolve of rehabilitation of that place.

Furthermore he also demanded for resignation of Ng Wei Aik, an assemblyman alleging that he has failed to help them in sorting out the issue and in fact has increased the agonies of the public of that area. The general manager of PDC Datuk Rosli Jaafar however, said that the rehabilitation of concourse was put to halt a number of times owing to one purpose or another.

He also pointed out that the rehabilitation of concourse has been allocated RM1.5mil which apart from other things will be spent in installing new lighting system and refurnishing the flooring area. In addition, he showed his agitation over the behavior of the merchants, who are unwilling to move away regardless of the order of PDC. He said the issue needlessly has been dragged and is politically driven. Ng when inquired told the reporters that they too have a strategy to sort the issue but did not find it appropriate to unveil it and said time will tell what they can do.

Chua Soi Lek Malaysia Day Speech

// October 21st, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

Chua Soi Lek Malaysia Day Speech Part 1

Chua Soi Lek Malaysia Day Speech Part 2

The PAS Showdown

// October 16th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

Recently the American Idol star performed in Kuala Lampur in a jam packed arena and thrilled the audience with his talent. However, PAS did not take lightly to this affair and staged protest against the singer. MCA Youth reacted to this incident by labeling PAS party as conservative and intolerant.

The chief of MCA Youth, Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong protested that the demonstration by PAS went to show how much extremism is displayed in the party’s manifesto. The PKR and DAP, who are PAS allies in the Pakatan Rakyat coalition, have adopted silence on this issue which has further aggrieved Wee Ka Siong.

The incident is such that Lambert, who proclaims to be a homosexual, gave a thoroughly entertaining performance in front of 10,000 excited fans. While at the same time PAS Youth members and students of All-Malaysian Islamic Students Coalition (Gamis) protested outside the Stadium Putra in Bukit Jalil.

The protestants who were led by the chief of PAS Youth Nasirudin Hassan and Mohammad Firdaus Jaafar, a Jerai MP, gathered outside the entrance after maghrib prayers and distributing anti-Lambert material to the youth queued up to buy tickets to the concert.

Karyawan president Datuk Freddie Fernandez and Kedah Gerakan chief Tan Keng Liang, both expressed regret on this frustrating situation saying that PAS needs to practice tolerance and moderation.