(Kuala Lumpur, Saturday): MCA Youth President’s Datuk Liow Tiong Lai’s hard-hitting speech in Mandarin yesterday is another sandiwara as he did not repeat the crucial phrases in English or Malay. Liow’s double-standard only proves that MCA Youth’s political courage of being a fearless voice and immediate retaliation against those who offend the Chinese community is limited only to the Chinese press but not in front of UMNO.  

“We in MCA and MCA Youth won’t be easily bullied by others, ren bu fan wo, wo bu fan ren; ren ruo fan wo, wo bi fan ren,” he quoted the Chinese saying which loosely translates to how one who is offended would retaliate. “In the ‘BN family’, we are brothers, there is no master and slave, there is no question of who is being scared of who or whom should kowtow to whom. He said the Chinese community, who have contributed towards the country’s Merdeka, would definitely pah see bo chow (will hold their ground even in face of adversity).” In a clear reference to other component parties leaders, Liow - who is also deputy youth and sports minister - said MCA Youth will not tolerate any form of ‘extreme racism’ which is done at the expense of racial harmony.  

If Liow has any problems in translation, DAP can offer our translation service to Liow to repeat those fierce phrases in English or Malay. Liow is too clever by half and naïve to think that the Chinese community will be deceived by this moral hypocrisy, political chicanery and even blatant lies by saying one thing to the Chinese community but another to the non-Chinese community. 

Liow is not only deceiving himself but also others by saying that MCA enjoys an equal relationship with UMNO. By not daring to say in front of UMNO Deputy President Khairy Jamaluddin how offended the Chinese community are by UMNO, especially the bullying of Wee Meng Chee for allegedly insulting the national anthem and Muslims despite his apology, Liow has once again shown that MCA fights not for the people but for UMNO.  All this fierce talk of defending Chinese rights is clearly intended to fish for Chinese votes in the next general elections.

UMNO Ministers should not shame Malaysia internationally by seeking extradition of Wee Meng Chee when he is not a criminal who has robbed, murdered or raped

The issue of Wee Meng Chee has touched the sensitive nerve of the Chinese community that Wee is being bullied not because he is wrong  but just because he is Chinese. Up to now the government has not made a legal case where Wee had gone wrong in offending the laws of the land such as sedition.  Worse Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department even wanted action to be taken against YouTube for allowing sensitive material that violates Malaysian laws. 

UMNO Ministers should not shame Malaysia internationally by seeking extradition of Wee Meng Chen when he is not a criminal who has robbed, murdered or raped. Extradition laws are applied on wanted criminals and to extradite Wee Meng Chee when he is no criminal is so repugnant as to smear Malaysia’s image to the same level as the draconian state of Myanmar.  

How ignorant and out of touch are our leaders that they want to clamp down on anything that threatens their media monopoly and sole control of information? The latest episode against an ordinary Malaysian student studying in Taiwan demonstrates the extreme lengths and absurd levels that UMNO and MCA would go, to curb online dissent, stifle diverse views and silence youthful voices.   

I make no apologies for supporting Wee and Nazri should go back to school if he does not understand the meaning of freedom of expression when DAP’s support for Wee is not a full approval of what he said but to defend Wee’s right to exercise his freedom of expression. However that does not mean that there is no legal recourse available. If anyone feels defamed, then he can sue Wee for defamation in civil courts. 

MCA, Gerakan and UMNO should be ashamed of themselves for employing the entire government machinery against one ordinary student. Gerakan’s Datuk Dr Lim Keng Yaik and MCA Vice-President Chua Soi Lek should either explain fully or resign for their role in Cabinet supporting action taken against Wee. The government should focus its attentions on criminals instead of bullying an ordinary student.  

Is this the type of democracy and freedom that Gerakan and MCA is talking under BN where those who brandish the kris to threaten to kill Chinese and burn their homes escape unpunished whilst those who sing anti-government songs are hounded and persecuted. Wee Meng Chee has not killed or harmed anyone, why should he be repressed down in such a manner. 

There is no racial tension in the country because of this ordinary student’s rap video. No Malays are angry because of this video which is not even made in Malaysia. The only party showing anger and making provocative and inflammatory threats of May 13 is UMNO.