COMMENT | Frankly, MCA Youth chief Chong Sin Woon lacks the political maturity to be both deputy minister and senator.

With his most recent jibe at Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, in which he stated that Lim was unable to handle the Penang floods despite his "deity-like" status, and even after his subsequent apology, I can only arrive at one conclusion: Chong is simply heartless.

What baffles me more is when we read that “Chong's comment elicited laughs and applause from the floor”. All this took place during MCA’s 64th annual general assembly, when Penang had been most badly hit by a natural disaster.

In my honest opinion, I think Chong should immediately resign from all official posts, as he hardly deserves these posts.

When DAP member Hew Kuan Yau made a controversial remark, at least he had the grit to be a man, and he accepted the responsibility and resigned from his posts in the party.

Chong can continue to keep his posts in MCA, as we are not interested in what happens to the party; but when it comes to handling issues affecting the country, Chong has failed terribly in his capacity as both deputy minister of education and a member of the Senate.

Mahdzir should lead by example

I am also surprised that neither Chong nor the other Deputy Education Minister P Kamalanathan has made any visit to check on the conditions of schools in Penang, especially when yesterday was the start of the SPM examination.

They should have at least visited the schools to see if certain things have to be fixed. The ministry badly needs some form of strong leadership which is very lacking.

In the past, other education ministers would have responded to such natural disasters by going to the ground immediately to offer their helping hands.

In this case, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has done well by having a meal together with Lim after a hard day at work. Malaysians expect politicians to be at the forefront when natural disasters hit the people.

If Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has made his rounds in Penang today, I would have to ask how Education Minister Mahdzir Khalid can continue to remain oblivious to all that is happening to the people of Penang, especially when the SPM examinations are currently being held throughout the whole country. 

Mahdzir should lead by example; otherwise, I cannot see how his deputy can handle important issues relating to national disasters.

All political differences should be set aside and assistance should be given unconditionally to the people of Penang in the name of 1Malaysia.

Even animals know how to help their own kind, when they are in distress, and I hope by now, Chong has learnt his lesson well.

STEPHEN NG is an ordinary citizen with an avid interest in following political developments in the country since 2008.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.