Media Statement by Liew Chin Tong in Parliament on Monday, 12^th April 2010:

Pheng Yin Huah incident a lesson for all

The participation of Hua Zong in the MCA Presidential Council meeting was regrettable and a lesson for all to learn.

Together with Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Malaysia (ACCCIM) and Malaysian Seven Major Clans Association, Malaysian Federation of Chinese Association (Hua Zong) President Tan Sri Pheng Yin Huah has been invited by MCA President Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek to attend and observe MCA Presidential Council Meeting.

It is unprecedented and unacceptable for civil society groups to be treated as appendages of a political party.

Chinese civil society groups have been at the forefront of political and institutional reforms. For instance, the concept of the “two-party system” was first mooted and popularised in the country by community leaders as early back as 1986.

Since the 2008 election, the two-coalition political system is slowly emerging despite a painful transition. It is more important than ever that Chinese civil society groups advocate reform without being tainted as an appendage of MCA.

* Liew Chin Tong, Perak DAP Chairman; MP for Beruas & State Assemblyman for Sitiawan