The MCA top brass have refuted news reports that it is calling for a Chinese version of Perkasa to counter increasingly racial stance of the Malay rights NGO, calling Donald Lim’s suggestions as his personal views.

Lim, MCA’s vice-president, had in an interview with the Chinese press last week said that the Chinese community need not worry about Perkasa as it can organise a similar organisation of its own.

NONE “His stand is personal, that is not a party stand, we do not agree with what Perkasa said so why should we do the same?” said deputy president Liow Tiong Lai (right) when met by reporters in the Parliament lobby today.

“We need harmony and a united Malaysia. We need to promote cooperation and unity. MCA’s stand is always for the unity of the country, working closely with all races.”

MCA Wanita vice-chief senator Heng Seai Kie echoed Liow, saying that Lim’s personal views do not reflect the opinions of the Chinese community.

“The Chinese community doesn’t like Perkasa. Why would they let racist statements (by Perkasa) come between the races?” she said.

Heng added that instead of resorting to racist antics, the rakyat should tackle the issue by working towards unity.

MCA vice-president Chor Chee Hueng concurred, adding that the Chinese need not bother with Perkasa because it is an irrelevant NGO.

“The PM, DPM and the cabinet ministers are not in it. We should not be bothered by it. Perkasa is just a small NGO," he said.

“Only one or two leaders of Perkasa are acting like crazy to get publicity. Why should we form a Chinese Perkasa to counter them? This will only help them get more publicity."

‘Lim misquoted?’

MCA Youth chief Wee Ka Siong was more cautious, asking if the press may have misquoted Lim.

NONE “I talked to a close friend of Lim who said that (Lim) may have been misquoted. After reading the news reports, I think Lim may not have meant what he said or he may have been misquoted,” said Wee (left) .        

He added that whatever the situation, the issue was never raised in any MCA meeting.

“We live in a civilised society and we should use civilised means to address such issues. We should not fight fire with fire,” concluded Wee.

A check with six major Chinese dailies on Saturday all reported the same content - that Lim had suggested that the Chinese community set up a Perkasa of its own to balance out the constant racial attacks by the Malay rights NGO.

Lim sticks to his guns

Late this evening, Lim released a statement maintaining his position while stressing that he was merely exercising freedom of speech.

He said that if anyone or any organisation were to debate Perkasa, it would create a “check and balance” effect.

Lim said that BN leaders and political parties need not over-react to Perkasa recent comments.

“MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek had also stated before: Perkasa is a new NGO that does not represent the government nor most Malays.

“Thus, MCA does not need to reply to Perkasa all the time,” he said.