Soi Lek: I can unite the MCA

Former MCA deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek is confident that he can bring back unity to the party within the next one and a half years.

In Part 2 of an interview with Malaysiakini , the dauntless politician revealed that he had no qualms about putting MCA in order should he be at the helm.

When asked how he would unite the party, he answered: "By being all inclusive and listening to the grassroots."

He added that his good working relationship with Umno would strengthen BN and the ties between the two component parties.

Chua said that the MCA president must exercise political wisdom to assert the party's own stand without disrupting ties with Umno.

Excerpts of the interview follow. The content has been edited for language and clarity.

Malaysiakini: If you win, what is your plan for the next one and a half years?

Dr Chua Soi Lek: The most important thing is to consolidate the party and reduce factions within the party. That is why I say that all the MCA members must work within the spirit of the humble ant . An ant knows its job very well.

A single ant cannot do very much but a group of ants can do a lot. MCA has one million people. One million MCA members collaborating and working together can do a lot for the party.

So you think that you can achieve that within one and a half years?

Yes, I think we can. It is not difficult since the members and the structures are (still) there.

How do you intend to solve the factions issue?

By being all-inclusive and listening to the grassroots voices, not just to (my own) voice.

Critics say that MCA always cowers from Umno. If you win the presidency, what is your approach?

Whether (we) like it or not, Umno is a component party in BN. To deal with Umno, one must have political wisdom.

It is not necessary for one to sing the same tune, but one must not be confrontational to the extent it causes unrest.

We don't want Umno and MCA to clash and have racial riots. I do not think that any sane Malaysian would want that. But that can happen easily.

So you must have wisdom and political courage to sing a different tune when it is not right for your community.

Given the good relationship between you and Umno, do you think that under your leadership, MCA and Umno can work better than before?

Yes. For the past one and a half years I don't think MCA and Umno relations have been good. But I have a good track record of having good relationships with BN leaders.

Now that I am the chief coordinator of BN, I have the opportunity to interact with the prime minister and he knows my character very well, much as I know his thinking.

If you become president, you might face the general election very soon. Do you think that you have the support of the Chinese voters and that you can lead MCA better?

MCA has been suffering from negative perceptions from the Chinese community especially from the younger generation. And that is because traditionally MCA had been unable to articulate its stand on important issues. One of the reasons why we fared very badly in the last election is the ‘anti-establishment' feeling.

MCA under Ong Ka Ting ( left ) was perceived to be weak, indecisive and unable to make a stand on major issues. So when Hishammudin ( left ) started brandishing his keris a few times, and when he never said anything in response, the Chinese community became very frustrated.

So I felt that MCA should move away from ethnocentric issues and become issue-centric. I have always felt that on major issues, MCA should always make a stand to reflect the wishes of Chinese community, although it may not go down well with Umno.

Wouldn't a race based party have difficulties moving away from ethnic issues?

Of course it is difficult but certain issues are not ethnic-based. Foreign workers issues have nothing to do with race. On the high-income economy which the prime minister will unveil soon, MCA should make a stand also. What is our input and the role of the Chinese community?

Some people suggested that you were the cause of the fracture...

No. When you look at MCA I had no role to play in MCA as a deputy, I did not hold any government post, I had nothing! All the time, they just wanted to sack me and it was my sacking that precipitates the whole crisis. I am sure that you are aware of that. If (they) had left me alone and let me play my role, MCA could be better.

So are you putting the blame on...

I am not putting the blame on him (Tee Keat). This is something that is obvious to anyone who is watching MCA. I had no role to play as a deputy; I only had a role in BN.

You have been seen together with Kong Cho Ha in many occasions, but why did you deny that he is your running mate?

I never denied that. You people wants to simplify the process. You will notice that now, when any leaders go to divisions, a lot of divisional leaders will attend. That does not mean that they are supporting you. It has been a tradition in MCA that when leaders come down for election, a lot of them will turn up to listen.

Everybody can come to my function. Why is nobody talking about (Ng) Yen Yen attending my function? We cannot make such assumptions. Physical appearances do not in any way implied support.

So you are saying that you and Kong ( left ) are not working together?

I cannot tell someone to not come to my function. That is uncalled for.

So is Kong your running mate?

You people wants to simplify everything to say that anyone beside (me) is (my) running mate. Mere physical appearances don't mean anything. Everywhere I go there is a big crowd; does that mean that I will win?

But aside from physical appearance, is Kong your running mate?

Wherever I go, I cannot stop people from coming. If Liow Tiong Lai can come to (my events), I have no problem with that.

 

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Related links

Part 1 Chua: I'm not afraid of Ka Ting