Federal Territory MCA chairperson Tan Chai Ho has urged the mayor of Kuala Lumpur to take greater heed of proposals from the public in regard to the city's development.

tan chai ho pc 130705 agitated “The draft Kuala Lumpur 2020 City plan has attracted much attention from all walks of life including political parties, non-government organizations (NGOs), business communities and individuals,” Tan told a gathering of some 600 party delegates and members at a convention held over the weekend.

“I hope he (Datuk Bandar) will be more hands-on and go down to the ground to learn more on the hardships and aspirations of Wilayah residents,” Tan added.

He was referring to some 700 proposals received by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) on the draft plan focussing on the strategic development of Kuala Lumpur into a world class city by the year 2020.

dewan bandaraya kuala lumpur dbkl draft kl city plan 2020 020608 “The new master plan should continue to incorporate more infrastructural features and characteristics to reflect a multiracial outlook and not mono-ethnic. The final plan should take into cognizance of people’s interest and there should not be any deviations in its implementation,” he said.

Tan, defeated in the parliamentary seat of Bandar Tun Razak during the March general election, is widely expected to step down from active politics after party polls next month.

He has served the MCA as Wilayah chairperson for the past 18 years, also having held other posts including senator, deputy youth chairperson and deputy minister.

An ex-detainee of the 1987 “Operation Lalang”, Tan also addressed the ISA issue saying, “Today, the relevance of ISA is questionable. The Act has seriously violated fundamental rights and it was wrongly used to detain civilians.”

"The government recently detained Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng, MP for Seputeh Teresa Kok and blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin under the Internal Security Act (ISA). Such unwarranted action poses a serious question whether the Act should be reviewed or abolished,” Tan said.

“Detention without trail is a violation of the rule of natural justice. Some politicians won their elections even while under ISA detention. MCA must pursue a review through proper channels.”

“This demonstrates that the people are sympathetic with them and condemn the abuse of ISA,” he added.

Ka Ting bids adieu

Delegates at the convention were also receptive to several proposals forwarded by Seputeh divisional chairperson Chai Kim Seng in his debate on the chairman’s speech.

It included a re-registration of the MCA members to weed out phantom memberships and more democratic election of leaders directly by members at branch level.

Chai's proposal caught many by surprise. He also urged the party to withdraw from the Barisan Nasional coalition as a last resort. Chai's comments drew support and loud applause from the floor.

mca central commitee pc 240708 ong ka ting Outgoing MCA president Ong Ka Ting said in an earlier speech this was his last time officiating the Wilayah state convention as party head and thanked them for their cooperation during his term in office.

“I remember my first party activities started in Wilayah in Bangsar branch, carrying chairs and tables for meetings in 1981 and 1982. It extended to visiting squatters to improve their access to basic amenities, Chinese schools and playing a role in the service centres,” he said.

In his farewell, closing note, Ka Ting said, “Now the party is at its lowest ebb but I am confident with your hard work and remaining united, you will come back stronger.”