MCA is very disappointed with Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz for his attack on its Youth chief Wee Ka Siong.

Referring to a China Press report published yesterday, MCA publicity chief Loh Seng Kok said Nazri's remarks were meant to belittle MCA.

According to the report, Nazri said Wee's public allegations of malpractice in the Public Service Department's (PSD) selection of scholarship recipients were unfounded.

Such statements would be expected from the opposition, Nazri said, adding that Wee should not do so because he was part of the federal administration and should not try to be "a hero".

"As a member of the ruling coalition, Nazri's comments reek of bad faith and once again prove that he is still living in the outmoded thinking of superiority," Loh said.

‘Nazri trying to shame MCA'

He said there was now no longer "an iota of doubt" that MCA and Umno would find it difficult to work with Nazri, who is de facto law minister, since his comments against Wee were backed by the opposition.

malaysiakini interview loh seng kok 061108 04 "His way of thinking is not suited to that of BN, therefore he might as well join the opposition instead, if he constantly finds fault with others," Loh ( left ) said.

He stressed that despite being part of the BN, MCA reserved its right to express differing opinions, just as any other coalition party.

"As much as we welcome constructive criticisms and advice from other members in the BN, the so called 'concern' repeatedly expressed by Nazri is irresponsible and shows that he is belittling MCA, with the intention of creating a false impression among the Chinese community that MCA is not capable.

"His statement that BN can elect another Chinese minister demonstrates his arrogant attitude," added Loh.

'Nazri trying to cover own flaws'

He urged Nazri to respect MCA's role as a BN coalition member and said that his repeated criticisms of MCA would affect BN's cohesiveness.

Nazri had earlier came under fire for his comments about MCA in an interview with Nanyang Siang Pau , when he likened the party to an "aggrieved wife".

He said that MCA frequently blamed Umno for its failures, behaving like a wife who constantly complains to outsiders that she has been "detained, sexually abused and denied food by her husband, but she refuses to divorce".

Loh also described Nazri's attack on Wee as an attempt to deflect his responsibility as a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

He argued that since the PSD was under the Prime Mininister's Department, Nazri should also take the blame for the unfair awarding of PSD scholarships.

"Hence, the issue of the PSD scholarship disbursements should be his KPI. Each time when the results of the SPM are announced, it shows that he has failed in his KPI.

"His efforts to 'solve' the problem by attacking others is simply baffling," Loh added.

Nazri: Use internal channels

In the China Press article, Nazri advised Wee not to go public on complaints against PSD and instead use internal channels.

He said that PSD awards scholarships purely on merit and uses the 9A+ results for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia as a benchmark.

Nazri added that numerous students and parents had sought his help for appeals on the PSD scholarship and he had used appropriate internal channels to resolve the matter.

He said that this was more appropriate than going to the press.

Nazri said that the problems with PSD scholarship awards was not a new issue and he has been recurring for three to four years, and the department has been showing improvements.