'Vote for MCA to keep BN's brand of moderation'
COMMENT | With all the political U-turns, inconsistencies, resignations and in-fighting among the opposition, Barisan Nasional has stayed the course and remains the only choice for moderation in our multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural nation.
Malaysians must be tired of the instability within the opposition, the changing of guards and horse-trading within the opposition. Many are now seeing that BN is the coalition that is the umbrella of moderation, whereby all components will hold their wild horses back and allow moderation to prevail.
MCA, as the second largest component party in BN, undertakes the role and is seen as the check and balance within BN. In the past, MCA played this role effectively within Perikatan until they were heavily defeated by DAP.
This is why it is important that DAP is not allowed to destroy this political equilibrium that has served the nation well in managing its plural society. In the past, DAP had destroyed the political equilibrium within Perikatan, leading to its early demise. In the 1969 general elections, DAP’s overwhelming victory over MCA had weakened then prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman.
It was later replaced by BN, of which was a result of compromises made to PAS by Umno, as a result MCA's weakening...
COMMENT | With all the political U-turns, inconsistencies, resignations and in-fighting among the opposition, Barisan Nasional has stayed the course and remains the only choice for moderation in our multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural nation.
Malaysians must be tired of the instability within the opposition, the changing of guards and horse-trading within the opposition. Many are now seeing that BN is the coalition that is the umbrella of moderation, whereby all components will hold their wild horses back and allow moderation to prevail.
MCA, as the second largest component party in BN, undertakes the role and is seen as the check and balance within BN. In the past, MCA played this role effectively within Perikatan until they were heavily defeated by DAP.
This is why it is important that DAP is not allowed to destroy this political equilibrium that has served the nation well in managing its plural society. In the past, DAP had destroyed the political equilibrium within Perikatan, leading to its early demise. In the 1969 general elections, DAP’s overwhelming victory over MCA had weakened then prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman.
It was later replaced by BN, of which was a result of compromises made to PAS by Umno, as a result MCA's weakening.
The people must be reminded again not to fall for the misconception that a vote for MCA is a vote for Umno, as a vote for MCA is really a vote for BN. BN is the moderator of Umno right-wingers. In the past, it was the BN concept and spirit that had kept the extremism in leaders like Dr Mahathir Mohammad, Anwar Ibrahim and Muhyiddin Yassin, etc in check.
Therefore, the need to weed out the dysfunctional opposition is important to ensure the votes are continued to be a mandate for BN's brand of moderation.
People must remember this when they set out to cast their vote, that a vote for BN is a vote for moderation and a vote for the opposition is a vote for individual leadership, dictatorial personalities and extremism.
A good and strong show at the polls that deliver BN a two-thirds majority will further endorse BN on its path of moderation. This will also avoid the risk or danger of Umno making further compromises or concessions to political extremism like PAS.
The rakyat must be enlightened on the benefits to the people if BN's umbrella continues to provide shelter and protection to moderation. A bigger mandate to BN in the coming general elections will ensure that the risk of PAS as the kingmaker be eliminated.
TI LIAN KER is the MCA religious harmony bureau chairperson, MCA central committee member and Kuantan MCA division chairperson.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
