MCA claims Dr M using DAP to realise 'bumi agenda'

DAP has compromised its commitment to non-racial politics and is now assisting Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to realise the latter’s “bumiputera agenda”, MCA secretary-general Chew Mei Fun claimed today.

“Ever since Pakatan Harapan and DAP admitted Bersatu into their fold in their quest to conquer Putrajaya, and propelled the presumably racist and dictatorial Mahathir as prime minister, the vision of non-racial politics, which DAP had all along been promoting, has gone up in smoke.

“Even more horrifying is their deafening silence over Bersatu’s 'bumiputera agenda', and Finance Minister (Lim Guan Eng's) abuse of power to suppress the Chinese community by axing the annual matching grant ranging from RM30 million to RM60 million for TAR University College,” she said in her speech during the BN component party’s 70th anniversary celebrations at its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Lim previously urged MCA to cut ties with TAR University College, which it owns, before the tertiary institution could receive funding from the government.

MCA has characterised his statement as a threat.

With the defection of former Umno representatives into Bersatu, and with the party now expanding into Sabah and Sarawak, Chew warned of a “mono-racial” future.

“DAP is of greatest help to Bersatu’s agenda as it is leading the nation towards the journey of no return of mono-racialism and bumiputera-dominance!

“The duty to stop such development has, therefore, fallen on the shoulders of MCA, and all of us,” she said.

'Guan Eng unfair to the Chinese'

Chew said that Lim himself, who is DAP secretary-general, was also being used by Mahathir to assist the Malays.

“That is why we observe that, even though Lim is still unable to come out with any sound financial policies and only knows how to cancel or reduce the scale of major infrastructure projects and dispose of national assets, the crafty Mahathir still repeatedly praises him as the best finance minister.

“All because Guan Eng, in his eagerness to secure Malay support and discard his Chinese image, had taken the initiative to realise Mahathir’s bumiputera agenda. Mahathir has realised his wish hands-down,” she said.

On the large electronic screen behind her were images of news articles of Lim handing a mock cheque for tahfiz schools to Education Minister Maszlee Malik and de facto religious affairs minister Mujahid Yusof Rawa.

Asked afterwards to explain her allegations, Chew said Lim was shortchanging the Chinese community while “condoning” bumiputera policies.

“I think the way he handles the Finance Ministry (and) the way he handles the issue of education for the Chinese has proven that he is actually not fair to the Chinese community.

“At the same time, he is condoning whatever bumiputera agenda (that is being) implemented (and) promoted by Bersatu,” she told a press conference.

‘DAP subservient to Bersatu’ 

Also present was MCA president Wee Ka Siong, who further claimed that DAP had become docile to Mahathir’s Bersatu.

“It seems that they (DAP) are subservient to Bersatu.

“You must understand Bersatu, they always U-turn. And when they make a U-turn, DAP will try to justify whatever action they make,” he claimed.

The government’s changing stances over recognising the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) was an example of this.

Wee recalled how before the 14th general election, DAP had promised voters that Pakatan Harapan would recognise it if they came into power.

It was one of the promises in Harapan’s election manifesto.

“But when Mahathir said ‘we must take care of the sentiment and reaction of the Malay community’, immediately DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang said they want to make sure Harapan can rule longer so we should not recognise the UEC immediately,” Wee said.

"[...] They (DAP) used to criticise MCA for lacking political courage (and for having) no guts.

"Today when Mahathir mentions something [...] whenever a Bersatu leader says something, they just remain silent," Wee said. 

Malaysiakini is contacting DAP and Lim for comment. 

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