Malaysia politics: Ong Tee Keat and MCA’s baby steps

Everybody is watching the Pakatan Rakyat and their political progression since they became government in 5 Malaysia states.

We, however prefer to watch development in BN politics as it tried to recover from injuries inflicted in 308 tsunami. If BN manages to stage a great comeback to Malaysia politics, it definitely will pose an interesting study for political analysts and students.

From our observation:

•    UMNO has not showed progression from its pre-308 mindset so far.

•    MCA has demonstrated some talk and trying to walk.

•    MIC is too busy with ‘inhouse rebranding’. However, we would like to suggest it try ‘party reform’ instead.

We can put on record that as of now, we are impressed with MCA’s baby steps to reform its public identity.

Just check out the below report from The Sun and try to see what we saw.

(Meanwhile, sad to say, the Chinese newpapers and its political writers missed this. Sin Chew the community’s leading newspaper, failed to highlight in their report a very important point in this speech of the MCA President Ong Tee Keat. We do not blame them, even Malaysiakini missed it.)

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Discard old policies or lose out, says Tee Keat

By: by Tan Yi Liang (Sun, 21 Dec 2008)

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 21, 2008): Malaysia will lose out economically if obsolete policies are not discarded, says Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.

“Policies should be re-examined and discarded if they are not working to the nation’s benefit. Very often, policies drawn up with noble intentions are wayward in their implementation,” said Ong.

He said a change of mindset was needed for Malaysia to be competitive globally.

“We need to be creative, innovative, visionary and bold. There are some among us who, it appears, do not seem to have realised that we have moved into the 21st century. It’s the digital age, but they operate with an analogue mindset,” he said, adding that educational reform was needed if Malaysia was to compete globally.

“It is not just the digital gap that is widening between rural and urban areas, so is the education gap. We have no choice but to implement changes. Our children are no longer just competing with each other within national borders. They are competing with the world.”

He pointed out that the need to overhaul the national schools was more pressing than the debate over vernacular schools.

Ong, who said this when opening the Malaysian Young Entrepreneurs Conference at the Putra World Trade Centre here today, called for reforms to make the ruling Barisan National coalition relevant for Malaysians.

“The political mould has been broken. Unless we in the Barisan compete in the marketplace of ideas, there is a real possibility that we will be voted out of office in the next general election. It is time we change the political model that worked so well for us until March 8,” said Ong, who called on parties to focus on the interests of Malaysians as a whole.

“Unless we take on a wider, national role, we could soon become irrelevant. The political base of the communal parties has no doubt been within the community, and we must cater to their interests, but there is nothing that says we cannot or should not build on this base by addressing national concerns affecting all Malaysians.”

At a press conference later, Ong repeated his call for reform after the March 8 political tsunami.

“After March 8, I said it (the need for reform) loud and clear. When I was interviewed  in April by one of the news agencies, I reiterated one point, and making a reference to my own party, I said we must initiate changes, or else we would become irrelevant,” he said.

He said he was “not apologetic” about his comments.

“I did it with good intentions, because at the end of the day, what we want, what the people want and are looking for and expecting from us is good governance. We are a beautiful country, we are rich in resources, so why can’t we harness our resources for the best benefit of the country and the people.”

He said his Barisan peers accepted the need for change, and noted that each Barisan component party had its own methodology for change.

“On Feb 14 next year, there will be a big BN rally, where the component parties, leaders and members will meet and brainstorm.

Perhaps this will serve as a good platform for the component parties to brainstorm and share experiences in transforming our own parties,” he added.

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A question for MCA members… thru Malaysiakini

We believe in governance and a good government made up of good people with strong principles of life.

As we have received many queries from members concerned about the upcoming MCA party election, we would like to throw these questions to you to assist members to make the best decisions this October.

It is worrying that the female MCA members do not seem to regard this as a big question of concern for the party or think of its impact on the Confucian family values which the women wing claim to represent.

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Questions to ponder for MCA’s future and the 13th General Election. And we would love to hear input from readers of Malaysiakini also:

• What sort of persons would you want to be leading the party and represent your voice?
• Do you want your candidates to tell you about their principles in life?
• Since they would like to represent the community, would you want them to possess some moral standing?
• Would you be contented to just let them be what they naturally are?
• And they, being what they are, can they just simply represent you and your community to interface with the global world?

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A penny for your thoughts: See below * a concern from a commentator (we think he/she is an MCA member):

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When you were caught you resigned immediately cause you said you don’t want to bring trouble to BN and MCA. I truly respected your act at that time. However, now you say you want to come back? What responsibility you were talking about? Is this what politician all about? Don’t you think you bring the mud back to BN and MCA?

I think many people don’t want to talk about your video story and people already forgive you when you had resigned. Why must you still want to show your existance all the time? Why don’t you let MCA members be proud to have a leader who dare to take up the responsibilities and walked out?

I do not know what is your agenda and what unfinish plan you have. Or you just want to make a revenge on certain group in MCA regardless you would tainted MCA image again.

Dr., I strongly believe MCA can do without you at top leadership. There are still many ways to contribute. Please don’t bring disgrace back to MCA. This will definitely will be a burden to BN and MCA at next general election if you won in MCA election.

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* Extracted from Malaysia Today’s article ‘Datuk Chua Soi Lek -Ahli Politik‘

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MCA Talents Race To Raise The Bar And Issued Challenge To Debate

A media associate alerted us of this interesting incident at an MCA Division at yesterday’s nomination.

Apparently a challenge to debate ala ‘Anwar vs Shabery’ has been issued by challengers to the incumbents of the top positions of Division & Deputy Chairmen and Youth & Deputy Chairmen. The reason for debate challenge was to allow delegates to make informed decision based on the vision and leadership ability of candidates. Sadly, incumbents waved away the challenge as they felt that it is not important (!) However, the challengers will be waiting at the appointed venue for the debate.

The most interesting fact is that the challengers are not your typical Ah Pek MCA members. These are young men in their prime, articulated, keeps up with new politics and speaks better in Bahasa Malaysia rather than in Mandarin only (!).

If its members have no problem engaging thoughts and opinions in our national language, MCA’s place under the new Malaysia political sun is further uplifted. The new MCA President (Ong Tee Keat?) better get these chaps into his team to lead the way, to thwart the negative prediction of MCA’s demise next GE.

Here’s the press statement issued by the new wave politicians:

-Press Statement For Immediate Release-

22 July, 2008

Subject: Contest for top posts in MCA Lembah Pantai Division: The Talented Race To Raise The Bar And Issued Challenge To Debate

KUALA LUMPUR: Lembah Pantai MCA Division witnessed a challenge for the top positions today and the challengers issuing a call for debate between incumbent and contestants at the close of this evening’s nomination day.

The posts of Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Youth Chairman, Youth Deputy Chairman and Youth Secretary are being contested by members from Bangsar branch. Ho Soon Hee, a futures market specialist (age 35) who is the incumbent secretary in Youth Division will be attempting a giant leap to the main body to contest the post of Divisional Chairman. Wong Weng Foo, a well known public accountant will go for the Deputy Chairman position.

For the Youth wing, Loo Chan Bond, a vibrant sales manager will be gunning for Youth Chairman post. James Tan Kok Kiat, an engineer will contest the Youth Deputy Chairman and Chia Teck Wooi, a sales manager will challenge the Youth Secretary post.

Known for their initiatives to push for internal reforms through successful programmes on leadership training and people’s dialogues, the IT savvy and unconventional ‘think and do’ tank said, they are called to stand and issued the debate challenge because this is the time MCA will need brave, thinking voices that resonant with rakyat Malaysia’s aspirations.

“A debate is a healthy and practical way to help the delegates arrive at an informed decision on each candidates’ ability to deliver results to MCA’s objectives,” Ho Soon Hee said.

“As the incumbent Dato’ Dr. Lim Chee Shin has indicated clearly of his retirement during the previous term, we are now offering our best team to rejuvenate the Division,” added Weng Foo, who was a senior committee in the Division.

“I ask myself, ‘When I look back five years from now, what have I done to contribute for MCA to remain relevant? What are the things I’m going to look at and wish I had done?’ That forces us to offer our best people and most importantly, the necessary skillsets to positioning MCA towards that objective,” said Ho Soon Hee.

“As shown in the General Elections, Lembah Pantai as a modern city constituency is ready for leaders who possess affinity to engage intelligently with voters who are information hungry and internet savvy. We believe our track record to attract members and train future leaders can bring a new spirit to MCA Lembah Pantai,“ explained Loo Chan Bond.

“In tandem with the impending leadership change at national level, we believe the division is ready for transformation and be uplifted by suitably talented leaders possessing the necessary values as indicated by the Chinese community’s thoughts and wish for multi-racial engagement,” emphasized James Tan Kok Kiat.

“We believe that until and unless change is effected at divisional level, it will not be able to contribute solidly to MCA’s commitment to voicing and expressing the concerns and problems facing the rakyat,” Chia Teck Wooi added.

The contestants pledge to all branches that fairness, transparency and teamwork in the Lembah Pantai Division will be enhanced. The team further pledge to commence by this November, a plan of action on leadership programmes and people’s dialogues to ensure the MCA members remain in touch with people based politics.

The contestants are confident that MCA Lembah Pantai delegates will exercise their wisdom and vote on their commitment to transform and reform the Division to keep up with the new Malaysia political landscape.

-Ends-