Who is MCA trying to kid in the controversial acquisition of Petaling Street (Chinatown) land for the construction of the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (KVMRT)?

The MCA president Chua Soi Lek on Wednesday Aug 24, so proudly announced and promised that the 31 landowners on Kuala Lumpur’s Jalan Sultan would be able to hold on to their property, after the government had agreed to reinforce their buildings and upon completion of the tunnelling beneath their shops allow the land to be returned to the owners.

However, in less than 24 hours, Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chairperson Syed Hamid Albar said the compulsory acquisition of the Jalan Sultan lots - where the KVMRT would run underground - was necessary because under land laws, landowners also owned the land that lies below ground.

“We have to do compulsory acquisition of the land. It means that subsequently, they have to alienate the land above,” Syed Hamid told reporters after a memorandum of understanding signing with Puspakom Sdn Bhd on Thursday.

Syed Hamid added that although they were currently working on a solution to allow the traders to return to Chinatown, “there is no guarantee that it would eventually be returned to the owners”.

This again, as in the past, shows what MCA leaders say are meaningless and just a “damage control exercise” whenever controversial issues afflicting the Chinese community arise.

In particular, can anyone really trust Chua to represent us?

In dealing with such issues since Merdeka, the MCA continues to dish out crap, never sticking its neck out for the Chinese community.

The biggest joke in this Chinatown issue is this: Why is the Transport Minister Kong Cho Ha keeping mum? Isn’t he from MCA? Is the SPAD chairperson more powerful than Kong?

Of course the answer is that the Umno SPAD chairperson is more powerful. Kong is keeping mum because his useless ministerial position - rendered useless by Kong due to his inaction - is more important than the Chinese community.

If he objects, he will be removed by Umno, just like what happened to former MCA president Ong Tee Keat who foolishly knocked his head against the brick wall of the multi-billion-ringgit Port Klang Free Zone (PKF) financial scandal.

Kong, after taking office, displayed his 101 percent loyalty to the powers that be by immediately sweeping the PKFZ probe under the carpet, thus safeguarding his ministerial position.

Under such circumstances, do you really expect the dumb Kong or the MCA to defend the interests of the Chinese community or give a damn for a Chinese heritage zone?

It is really appalling to note that, of late, non-Umno ministers have been reduced to just puppets, toothless leaders who are completely subservient to Umno and the powers that be.

These ministers are powerless to Umno-formed and Umno-linked commissions, committees, boards, etc.

So Malaysians, isn’t it crystal clear that it does not really make any difference whether there are MCA, Gerakan or MIC ministers after the next general election?

As for the Malays, only the cronies of Umno Malays will continue to prosper while the majority of Malays continue to struggle in poverty.