Media statement by Lim Kit Siang in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, 2^nd June 2011: 

MCA among the greatest obstacles to realization of 1Malaysia

The headline “Time to stop thinking along racial lines, says Soi Lek” in the MCA owned newspaper, the Star, today must have caused a general shaking-of-heads by its readers, not because of disagreement but at his naivety or downright dishonesty.

There must have been more intensive shaking-of-heads when the MCA President, Datuk Seri Dr. Chua Soi Lek expressed his belief that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s “1 Malaysia concept could be realised by 2020 when affirmative action policies shift towards being merit- and needs-based instead of the current race-centric arrangement”. (The Malaysian Insider)

In actual fact, Malaysians have never been more polarised along racial and religious divisions under Najib’s 1Malaysia concept and MCA is undoubtedly among the greatest obstacles to the realisation of Najib’s 1Malaysia.

Up to now, Najib’s 1Malaysia concept is nothing more than a RM70 million fraud and façade, transformed during by-elections into a “1T-shirt, 1Tupperware, 1Burger, 1Mineral Water Bottle” circus!

Everyday Malaysians are being reminded as to how hollow and meaningless is Najib’s 1Malaysia concept purportedly to unite all Malaysians regardless of race, religion, geography or socio-economic status.

The latest is the annual scandal of the unfair and unjust allocation of PSD scholarships most frustrating to Malaysia’s best and brightest sons and daughters – which is why no one has confidence that Najib’s Talent Corporation will not end up as “Talents Corpse” as there is just no political will to see through a national transformation to create an united, just, progressive and prosperous Malaysia.

Where were the MCA, Gerakan, Umno and other BN Ministers when I challenged them in Parliament in March last year to declare that they truly support the 1Malaysia concept of being Malaysian first and race second?

Did the MCA leaders dare to protest, object or dissent when Deputy Prime Minister and Umno Deputy President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin declared in response that he is Malay first and Malaysian second?

How can Najib be sincere about 1Malaysia yet allow Umno official organ Utusan Malaysia to launch a counter “1Melayu” slogan and campaign?

How can Malaysians have confidence in the 1Malaysia campaign when Utusan Malaysia is allowed immunity and impunity to sabotage it with the most seditious and treasonous “DAP-Christian Malaysia” bogey appearing on its front-page on May 6?

Why is there still no BN government action after almost a full month against Utusan Malaysia for its irresponsible front-page “DAP-Christian Malaysia” bogey which could have caused strife and bloodshed?

Why did the MCA leadership under its President Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek give their “winks of approval” to the irresponsible Utusan Malaysia to persist with its “DAP-Christian Malaysia” bogey and incitement?

Have any MCA Minister pursued the issue in the past four Cabinet meetins to demand that the most severe action must be taken against Utusan Malaysia to ensure that there would be no repetition of such irresponsible, seditious and treasonous publications?

Since the last general elections in 2008, the Umno leadership had been making overtures to PAS to form a “unity government”.

Did MCA leaders object as MCA had been attacking the DAP for co-operating with PAS in Pakatan Rakyat. Did MCA leaders ask for explanation and apology from Umno, telling Umno that MCA would pull out of Barisan Nasional if Umno continues to act in utter disregard of the existence of MCA in BN?

Did Chua tell Najib that the UMNO offer of “unity government” to PAS is also against the Prime Minister’s 1Malaysia concept – and that if there is to be any talk of “unity government, it should be a proposal by Barisan Nasional to Pakatan Rakyat to form a “national unity government”?

Can Chua answer any of these queries – or there can only be more shaking-of-heads by Malaysians at the increasing irrelevance and impotence of MCA in the Malaysian political landscape.

*Lim Kit Siang, DAP Parliamentary Leader & MP for Ipoh Timor