Here’s to a healthy MCA?

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We wonder why MCA and its programmes for political relevancy are always disregarded whenever members of its central committee fight to defend their territorial ‘rights‘ at different times of MCA’s lifetime.

Anyway, here’s something for MCA members to ponder about and its community of  stakeholders’ connection with today’s power tussle in MCA.

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Ong: Renew to be relevant

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA leaders and members have been urged to adopt the “automatic renewal system” to ensure that the party would be more effective, innovative and attractive.

Its president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said that under the system, office bearers at all levels would be encouraged to groom and train the new generation of members to be party leaders so that MCA would continue to move towards a new era.

“The people’s expectation of the party is higher nowadays and it is facing more complicated challenges. In order for the party to stay close to the community, we should continue the renewal progress so that MCA will always be relevant to the community,” he said in his speech at the party’s 58th anniversary at Wisma MCA here yesterday.

The theme of this year’s celebrations is Maju Seiring Era Baru (Together Forward Towards A New Era).

Ong said the party was not getting rid of its old guards but noted that it was its responsibility to nurture and groom the younger generation.

“If party leaders have occupied the party or government positions for a long time without realising that they have lost the enthusiasm to serve the people, it would only bring harm to the party.

“These leaders would only choose to hear praises from their supporters and not criticisms made from those outside the party. They would think those who have criticised them are their enemies,” he said, adding that this would cause factions to form within the party.

Ong, who is Housing and Local Government Minister, urged party leaders to work towards a healthy political culture.

Ong said the party, which has 1.09 million members, also focused on the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises, and would ensure that financial institutions and government agencies continue to provide loans to entrepreneurs regardless of race.

He said the Malaysian Chinese Economic Consultative Council – comprising the party and Chinese guilds and associations – would continue to work together and give feedback to the Government.

“MCA has also suggested during internal government meetings to recruit more talented non-Malays so that they will have an opportunity to contribute to the country,” he said.

On education, he said the Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman main campus in Kampar would start recruiting students in May.

Ong also said the nation-building contributions of Tun Tan Cheng Lock, MCA founder and one of Malaya’s founding fathers, would always be remembered.

SUMBER : THE STAR, 12 MARCH 07

Malaysian voters must punish and reject low quality Members of Parliament

We like below remark we found at anilnetto.com which commented on the silly speeches by Malaysian Member of Parliament.

In this Youtube instance, the antics of Mohamad Aziz (UMNO) is a perfect example of the sad standard of our MPs who consciously waste taxpayers’ money in Parliament.

May we advise all voters to seriously check and evaluate the quality of their MP candidates in the next General Election before crossing the ballot paper.

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Kam Cheng
October 31st, 2009 at 11.59am · Reply

I pity the Hansard, it has to record the rubbish that the Sri Gading clown spews each Parliament session.

Sri Gading and Kinabatangan are the UMNO appointed time wasters and court jesters in Parliament. Just look at what they bring up in Parliament. No policy matters, just kampung politics. To make matters worse, the venerable Lim Kit Siang also lost the opportunity to rein in the 2 jesters so that 1st world Parliament session can be have. Maybe because Uncle Lim couldn’t resist the dig at other political parties, even though Parliament session is not for that.

I suggest Sri Gading should learn some mandarin so that he can read for himself what the Chinese community said what it really wants.

All Chinese newspapers reported that the community wants Ong Tee Keat to continue as MCA President. They have only 1 hero left and apparently Ong is still needed.

This Sri Gading fella wasted 5 minutes of the rakyat’s money venting on his personal feelings but non on researched facts. Since when Parliamentarians are allowed to represent their personal likes and dislikes in Parliament? I thought they are supposed to amend and recommend policies in Parliament upon consultation with their constituents!

First world Parliament will take a very long time coming.

MCA: Hell breaks loose, happy hour time for warlords

This comment sums up nicely the feelings and repulse of rakyat Malaysia on the sheenigans by MCA ‘leaders’:

written by John Lee, October 14, 2009

Hell breaks loose, it is happy hour time for the war lords.

Most of them have nothing to lose after all they have been sidelined and this is the golden opportunity.

The GE voters out there know who they are and what they are up to.

Do not think that Malaysian have short memory.

MCA , you have just missed the opportunity to regain your glory when you made such emotional and immature decision to oust your president Ong Tee Keat who have the support of most Malaysians.

What do you feel towards these ‘leaders’?

Should voters feel safe with these vulture like behaviours waiting to feast even as their President has not officially resigned?

1st party within BN coalition is reforming by sacking ‘morally tainted’ Chua Soi Lek

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After the 12 General Election, we see the need for Barisan Nasional, especially its component parties to reform and reinvent themselves.

Without a doubt, for the wellbeing of rakyat, a strong Pakatan Rakyat needs a strong opponent in Barisan Nasional to balance each other in the political landscape.

We are pleased with latest development showed by Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) which demonstrates reform through the overdue disciplinary action against one of its member who has committed sexual acts which is unlawful in the eyes of the law. So far, there’s been no police report against Chua Soi Lek, so he’s spared from that. But some are grumbling “that doesn’t mean the whole of MCA need to condone his breaking one of the 10 commandments.”

How we wish Gerakan would also institute some form of reform before its disastrous campaigning in its home ground in Penang for the recently concluded Permatang Pasir by election.

[ We notice most bloggers blame MCA for low chinese support for Permatang Pasir UMNO candidate Rohaizat Othman (another tainted politician). We should be looking at Gerakan instead if it wishes to continue serving the people of Penang (Gerakan's home state) in GE13. ]

Anyways, to show leadership any political party must have political stand. MCA is doing just that.

MCA is showing Malaysians that is has a moral stand in the case of Chua Soi Lek.

Good luck to Chua Soi Lek as he prepares to file his appeal to the party he claims to love.

P/S: Chua Soi Lek is not about to give up his personal ambitions just yet. Looks like the party’s wellbeing will have to come AFTER his personal ambitions has been realised.

Read “Soi Lek urges MCA members to rise up” (The Malaysian Insider)

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Ong Tee Keat and Lim Kit Siang: PKFZ Monday showdown in Dewan Rakyat

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What has Ong Tee Keat delivered so far:

We would like to applaud Ong Tee Keat for delivering on his promise to disclose Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) problems with the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report and organising a few task forces to heal the problem.

That’s definitely a first for BN and MCA. We also found that this action matches with Ong Tee Keat’s ‘courage’ slogan. And Najib’s 1Malaysia should not hesitate to encourage more of such resolute like this MCA President.

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What is Lim Kit Siang contributing so far:

We would also like to thank Lim Kit Siang and DAP for bringing to voter’s attention to the many questions raised through his blog, ranging from business dealings, accounting, accountability and many comments on feelings of betrayal.

As rational actors, we are concerned particularly with the questions on the PKFZ administrative and management problems. Lim Kit Siang is fully aware of Ong Tee Keat’s efforts and has mentioned his ministerial breakthrough in documenting and disclosing the PKFZ problems. We understand Lim Kit Siang’s unhappiness at the inaptness of the people in PKFZ which resulted in this fiasco.

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Suggestions for next step for MPs:

May we suggest perhaps for next step, Lim Kit Siang will consider to work on introducing a law at Parliament to ensure such GLC management problems will not arise again. He missed pushing for such a law following BMF scandal long ago. But now, with a stronger opposition bench, is a second chance for Lim Kit Siang to prove his ability to introduce such law in Parliament to upgrade Malaysian business environment.

May we the voters see a productive and progressive debate in Parliament coming Monday. Certainly, we will be closely following  the updated reports from Malaysiakini webportal.

Good luck to both Member of Parliaments.

P/S: Perhaps one of these days we may be able to bring our children to see this story as a blockbuster movie showing in GSC or TGV cineplexes. It would make a very good voter’s education and guide to voting for an effective lawmaker.

Attention MCA’s Chew Mei Fun and Heng Sai Kie!

Congratulations to the new (old?) Deputy Ministers from MCA.

MCA seems to have persuasively got an extra boost in Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s cabinet.

Hope Chew Mei Fun (formerly PJ Utara, lost to DAP Tony Pua’s intellect) and Heng Sai Kie (the quiet Senator from Perak, Wanita MCA Secretary General) will be more than just rubber stamps or worse… yes women in this new government.

Remember 308 well… The rakyat expects more of the female politicians than just talking without using the brains on hot issues. Female politicians unable to speak out on issues of the day is another no no.

We dare you to take on the opposition female politicians in debate or even to stand up together on national issues.

Dare you take on the challenge to wow us voters?

Dear Barisan and Pakatan supporters… tis about the economy

With so much going on in political wranglings in Perak, PKR’s Elizabeth Wong’s case, MCA’s Chua Soi Lek and upcoming by-elections x 3.

Anybody heard the common Rakyat’s rumblings over the country’s economy future?

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Share with you the following received via a forwarded email.

Do you agree with below thought? What should we do now?

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This nation was birthed with a social contract agreed by our forefathers (the people’s representatives who agreed to Malaysia’s independence and the Sultans).

It was the social contract agreed by the respective bodies/people which has created a sense of oneness which was demonstrated during Tunku Abdul Rahman’s time.

How come we only hear UMNO still wanting the social contract?

What about the others who subscribed to the contract?

What are the obligation of the parties to the social contract?

There’s too much anger and unthinkingness without any ideas to move forward or willingness to engage with different stream of thoughts and viewpoints as fellow Rakyat Malaysia. Sadly, the BN supporter will scold, curse or vilify the Pakatan supporter and vice versa. What a terribly sad demonstration of the Malaysian undemocratic mindsets in cyber. It conveys a very Hitler-like dictatorial stance: “My viewpoints are supreme and just! Your viewpoints doesn’t count, you stupid!”

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Perhaps your small group can lead the way to a more progressive Malaysia and take action, gather ideas for action from all fellow Malaysians regardless of their political affiliation/thinkings.

Love your enemies, constructively?

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No more post mortem fetishes: BN should learn cyber outreach from Pakatan Rakyat

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We note with interest a report in The Star today: “Rebranding the MCA, plan to be unveiled on March 1″.

In the report, MCA President Dato’ Seri Ong Tee Keat said after chairing the MCA presidential council meeting yesterday:

“Insap, the think-thank of the party, had also presented an analysis of the Kuala Terengganu by-election results at the meeting.

“It is a very deep and thorough evaluation participated by all members of the presidential council. We can learn from the analysis,” he said.”

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Whilst we applaud political parties in their quest to understand the reason for results gotten in the recent by-election, we are not amused by this pre-occupation by parties in the Barisan Nasional with post-mortems.

It is exasperating for voters to read replays of such peculiar fetish by the ruling coalition on events already past. After losing an election, a post mortem is moot and re-active.

308 was not given by the voters for political players’ analysis to the death and performing after-death post mortems.

308 was a message from the Rakyat.

Voters have already send a signal that 308 is a starting point for political parties from Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat to shape up, train up, get their members motivated and perform their elected duties BEFORE the voters again go to tick that party symbol in the 13th General Election.

BN should pick up the signal and learn from PR to maximise alternative media outreach.

Establishing intelligence in cyber and with an ear on the ground should be enough ammunition for a political party to get its act together before going into any election in pro-active mode.

Mulling over and detailing a loss is not value adding if political parties do nothing to pro-actively pile on the persuasion groundwork to win the next elections.

Kuala Terengganu by-election: Raja Petra has gone overboard disrespecting Article 11 and Article 10

We are disturbed with the latest article “Does MCA support hudud?” by Raja Petra Kamarudin in Malaysia Today.

We have supported Raja Petra for his fearless opinions as freedom of expression is a right provided for under Article 10 and Article 11 of the Federal Constitution. (Article 10: Freedom of speech, assembly and association. Article 11: Freedom of religion)

However this time, we feel Raja Petra has gone overboard the provision of law as in his article he has trampled on rights of citizens on freedom of association and religion.

The below particular paragraph extract from Raja Petra’s article is particularly alarming,  highly intimidating, intruding and disrepecting the personal sphere of non-Muslim:

MCA, do you or don’t you support Hudud?
Speak up now or forever hold your tongue.
Are you pro-Islam or anti-Islam?
Please tell us now and make it very clear. Tomorrow we are going to Terengganu to campaign for PAS and we want to know what to tell the Kuala Terengganu voters.
And it will either be “MCA is anti-Islam” or “MCA is pro-Hudud”.

As law abiding citizens and voters, we are greatly disturbed and strongly object the method deployed in above article of Raja Petra which trampled on personal rights provided in the Federal Constitution.

Raja Petra’s shameful attempt of crass politicking by issuing above ultimatum to Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) to support hudud is a highly mischievous attempt to bully their non-Muslim community.

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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