Everyone is entitled to be stupid politicians but some political leaders in MCA have abused that privilege to almost perfection. In fact, German playwright/novelist Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1794-1832) did remind politicians of his times that “there is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity.”

Or Greek philosopher Aristotle, in his classic advisory note served modern stupid leaders on anger. “Anybody can become angry - that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way - that is not with anybody’s power and is not easy.”

tan yee kew quit mca pc 170708 talking To succeed in the political arena nowadays, it is not enough to be stupid, you must be well mannered,” Voltaire (1694-1778) advised.

The recent episode involving the abrupt resignation of a high-ranking MCA leader Tan Yee Kew and an angry secretary general Ong Ka Chuan, reminded some Malaysians of a Voltaire saying, “Ignorance is innocence but stupidity comes with experience.” This saying even rings true - applicable to those squatting in the corridors of power.

In politics, stupidity is not a handicap as proven in MCA’s latest episode.

“It is not right to say the old house is no good. Whatever the case, the old house sheltered you and you should be thankful,” the MCA secretary-general stated in apparent reference to Tan’s ingratitude. Indeed, her sudden resignation caught the MCA by surprise.

Tan's pertinent reasons

Tan, a central committee member and the party’s former deputy Wanita chairperson is by far the highest ranking party official to have quit the party. Citing loss of confidence in the party’s leadership and its role as a political entity, she also mentioned support of a two-party system for the country.

“Political changes in the country have convinced me that MCA is no longer an effective platform to champion the cause of the people and nation. Factionalism had caused in-fighting and the condoning of bad practices such as the existence of phantom members in the party,” Tan outlined some of the pertinent reasons for her resignation.

Inevitably, her remarks had ruffled Ka Chuan’s feathers and he publicly rebutted Tan’s reasons and questioned her real intention for abandoning the party when it was at its lowest ebb.

Ka Chuan’s brutish and rather brusque reaction had naturally raised eye-brows among some moderate party members. Some expressed doubts as to whether the secretary general’s complete lack of grace and the quality of statesmanship is suitable for a higher post in the party’s hierarchy.

“Do not leave the party by hurling accusations and criticisms against it. This is not something that should be practised. Yee Kew’s resignation is no big loss to the party,” Ka Chuan said in a rather retaliatory tone.

A party leadership alleged to be steeped in political patronage, blind loyalty and contradictions has little appreciation for meritocracy. It did not matter that Yee Kew had served the party with dedication and experience for more than two decades as she was not nominated to re-contest in the 2008 general election.

mca new cabinet member 180308 ong ka chuan Reminding us, a political observer said that there are generally two ways, politicians are promoted in the hierarchy of political parties: either by one’s own industriousness (virtue of hardworking) or by stupidity of others (for electing them).

Indeed, Ka Chuan’s anger was directed at the wrong person, to the wrong degree, at the wrong time, for the wrong purpose and in the wrong way.

Unsurprisingly, sharp criticisms are beginning to surface, targeting the secretary general for his complete lack of empathy and as a self-professed staunched Buddhist, compassion toward a former comrade who had worked alongside him for the past 22 years.

'Thorn has been removed'

In contrast, arch rival to Tan Yee Kew, Wanita chief Dr Ng Yen Yen wished her former deputy well and said it was Tan’s right to quit. For good reasons too, Yen Yen’s blessings also meant that a “thorn has been removed” paving the way for her “anointed disciple” Chew Mei Fun to take over as MCA Wanita chief in October this year.

“Besides lacking political acumen, Ka Chuan’s image is collapsing and confidence in him as a leader is eroding fast as many of his public statements had also not gone down well with party grassroots,” a party veteran spoke in confidence.

ong tee keat interview 210508 looks right In comparison to Ka Chuan’s remarks, vice-president Ong Tee Keat’s tone was gracious and forgiving. “I wish Tan Yee Kew all the best in her crusade against race politics on her new platform.”

“I personally feel sorry for her as she was not offered any post after she was not given a seat in the March general election,” Tee Keat said in a SMS message to Bernama.

On the other hand, some party critics sarcastically praised Ka Chuan’s analogy as “superb” for equating the “party” as the “old house.”

An astute former MCA Wilayah party leader (who declined to be named) pointed out that Ka Chuan was the one who had sought 'shelter' in the party when he lost the Batu Gajah parliamentary seat in 2004.

“He had not only taken shelter but was further kept ‘politically afloat’ through his appointed post as secretary-general (between the 2004 general election and March 2008), under the leadership patronage of his brother president, Ong Ka Ting.”

Unlike Ka Chuan, many party leaders voiced sympathy and encouraging remarks in response to Tan’s recent move. A Perak MCA division chairperson said, “Yew Kew is far-sighted for having national interest at heart. In the long run, a two-party system is good for democracy in the country.”

“Ka Chuan has no moral ground to criticise Yee Kew for resigning. She is a better leader unlike those who had caused the party to lose so many seats and yet refused to step down, ” the leader added.

Party veteran and former deputy youth and sports minister Wang Choon Wing disagreed with Ka Chuan’s views. Wang viewed that Yee Kew’s resignation is a loss to the party as she has served the Klang constituency very effectively with a proven track record and a very experienced leader.

Sharing the same sentiments, a former Selangor MP also disagrees with Ka Chuan, “Her resignation is not a matter of right or wrong... it is her right although MCA needs leaders like Yee Kew who is experienced and very qualified academically in comparison to the secretary-general.”

Ka Chuan’s gladiator-like attitude reflected in his caustic remarks stood as a “sore thumb” among more sympathetic elements in the party.

Find out why Tan quits

Former MCA secretary-general Dr Ting Chew Peh advised the party leadership under the “Ong brothers” to seriously look into Yee Kew’s reasons for resigning and the need for a re-registration exercise to rid the party of phantom members. ting chew peh pc 170805 looking on

“Yee Kew did not resign when she was suspended for one year (which was reduced to a 6-month period following her appeal) in 2005. Now she has done so, there must be some compelling reasons for her doing so,” he posed.

In August 2005, the MCA presidential council suspended Tan’s membership for one year on the ground of breaching the party’s code of conduct by distributing a video recording of a fracas at Jalan Young MCA Branch election in Klang in April 2005.

Tan’s resignation may be likened to “a swallow not making a summer.” The likelihood of her defecting to Parti Keadilan Rakyat would inevitably draw many followers irrespective of race into joining her.

It is almost predictable that many more top and middle ranking MCA leaders will defect to the PKR by year end. Only stupid politicians in the ruling coalition will rest comfortably in their self-denial mode.

Tan Yee Kew’s academic qualifications stretched across four universities, her first degree from University of Punjab (1975), University of Reading in the United Kingdom (1978), University of Wales (1980) and finally obtaining her doctorate from University of Malaya majoring in regional development.

Her string of political posts held include among others, Wanita secretary-general (1987-1989); Wanita vice-chairperson (1990-1995); Deputy Wanita chief (1996-2005), Klang Member of Parliament (1995-2004). MAPEN member (1989-1990) and Parliamentary Secretary (Miti) (2003-2007).