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

Ong Tee Keat: One of our rare values based politician

We are very happy to report that Malaysia has produced one more values based politician.

Ong Tee Keat of MCA, now Transport Minister has demonstrated the importance of values in the hazardous job of a politician. OTK has been censured before by an UMNO leader for his frank comments. Even the MCA President was scolded as Ong Ka Ting stood up to defend the same values. At the end of the day however, party lines submitted to government Ministrial line of authority (this is another subject matter on government).

The Ongs:

Ong Ka Ting Ong Tee Keat

We are also proud that OTK is one of the very few to declare frankly his stand and moral values on climbing the political ladder. May we add, it reminds us of days of long ago where heroes have clear principles and values that made human history so uplifting and magnanimous.

Consider OTK’s response as a reporter asked him on whether he will be going for the post of deputy president in MCA:

“A television reporter has repeatedly asked me this hypothetical question – assuming there is a vacancy for the post. My answer is that if at all there is a vacancy, any eligible candidate, including me, has the right to contest. I must also say here that I will only consider contesting the post of deputy president on three conditions, meaning that:

1. I have enough support from the ground,

2. the aptitude to deliver in the post, and

3. the ability to bring positive impact to the party.

I contest not because I want the position at all cost.“

Well said.

If only all contestants for any party leadership posts will only adhere to 1, 2 and 3. So far, we have heard nothing on this from people who are now making lot of scolding noises in the aftermath of GE12.

Did the Star lie? Demand for your goodies quick

The Star did not tell a lie and Malaysiakini was busily reporting to balance up with the opposition’s news.

The Barisan Nasional was on a roll in Penang yesterday, with top guns from its component parties making the rounds and distributing a lot of goodies to orang Penang.

Orang Penang were promised some new/relocated Chinese schools, jobs and given money (8 Indian NGOs received 10k each).

It is interesting second Finance Minister Nor Mohd Yakcop was in charge of handing out money to the Indian NGOs and promising to secure jobs for Indians. Maybe he will be running as a candidate in the GE after all.

Total goodies promised:

Chinese Schools – MYR3.8 million

8 Indian NGOs – MYR80,000 (handed out already)

Extra pocket money for 9,514 disable persons (registered with Community Rehab Centres PDK nationwide) – MYR951,400

Increased allowance for 1,479 PDK teachers – MYR443,700

Monthly allowance for new posts PDK supervisors – MYR1,200 x total numbers to be hired

We have no quarrel to increase necessary allowances for deserving Malaysians. But to announce all these goodies at one go in 1 day? Why could it not have been done sustainably or in good taste or with a bit of class during the past 4 years?

It’s too much for the stomach to bear.

It’s too much for the conscience to fathom.

It’s too much for the thinking voters to believe.

Poor orang Penang. We pity them for being overwhelmed by all these assaults on their emotions at one go.

There should be laws to disallow this kind of behaviour. So that campaigning can be more fair and can be judged on the strength of future policies, plans and real leadership.

What are you doing about it, SPR and the National Unity and Integration department?