Walk the talk, MCA tells 'short-sighted' Karpal

Before barking at others, MCA has called on DAP chairperson Karpal Singh to sink his teeth into his own backyard first.

Claiming that the veteran politician was "divorced from reality", MCA central committee member Loh Seng Kok said the DAP leader should target PAS and convince his own party to include more Malays into the fold.

Loh (left) was responding to Karpal's call for the deregistration of all political parties and associations based along racial or religious lines.

"He is extremely short-sighted and unconcerned about hurting the feelings of others and the consequences which may arise from his remarks.

"If we were to follow Karpal's line of reasoning, then those associations representing vernacular education may face deregistration as well as many other guilds and organisations which also cover a variety of issues," said the MCA leader in a statement.

Loh pointed out that  achieving national unity is not entirely dependent on whether a party or association is based along racial lines but depends on the quality of leadership and  mindset of its members.  

"A party's ability to promote racial unity depends on whether its leaders are open-minded or whether they are racist. As such, Karpal should avoid from making such sweeping statements to attack race-based and religious-based parties.

"If Karpal is really adamant in abolishing all racial and religious parties, then why didn't DAP stop PAS from making religious speeches? Why did DAP even agree to work together with PAS in the first place?" he asked.

Loh said he had faith in the BN government to ensure the continuous harmonious existence between its citizens of various races, religions, and cultures.

"All of us come together under the premise of 'unity through diversity' to help propel the nation forward.  

"Not only has Karpal hurt the feelings of those who have had a long-standing success in administrating a multicultural society with his insensitive remarks, but he has also denied the success and efforts of the BN government all this while," he added.

Karpal's remarks have also drawn brickbats from PAS leaders.