Analysing the MCA crisis

The MCA crisis has been going on for over two months now, throwing the Chinese community into a state of confusion, weariness and even abhorrence. The crisis has evolved from an obvious conflict between two individuals, to a major split that entails the entire party, into a state of inexplicable chaos we see today.

The MCA infightings should have come to an end after the emergency general meeting (EGM) on 10 October. That said, democratic resolutions from the EGM have not been put into implementation, and party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, who was given a no-confidence vote in that EGM, insists to hold on to his power. As if that is not enough, many unnecessary arguments have been spawned out of secondary issues, obscuring the focus of the public.

Ong has failed to honour his own words by not conforming to the decisions made by party delegates. It is therefore not a question now as of who have betrayed the party president or have attempted to throw him out of office.

How could a leader lacking integrity lead MCA? How would such a leader put the party's unity plan into implementation? And how would he ever win the support and respect of the Chinese community?

The worst ever president in party history
At this very moment, the party president could only represent those with vested interest within the party. He is not qualified to represent the Chinese community in whole.

Plunging MCA into such a sorry state we see today, Ong could as well be the worst president ever in the history of MCA. There hasn't been another MCA president who has been so unprincipled as to dihonour his own pledges.

As a party leader, Ong has been in gross disrespect for the outcome of last October's party elections by removing his deputy through party mechanisms, and then tying down his own fate to the entire central committee as well as the party.

If MCA claims to represent the Chinese community in this country, it must take heed of how the Chinese community views the current crisis. Majority of Chinese Malaysians, including Chinese newspapers whose destiny is tied to that of the Chinese community, should have the right to voice up on the party crisis instead of allowing the only Chinese political party in this country to go under and lose its most basic esteem merely because of the manipulation by a handful of people.

An MCA plagued by constant infightings and on the verge of disintegration will never be able to play its role of unifying the Chinese community come the next general elections. If MCA could only secure a very low support rate in the general elections, suffering its worst ever setback since the party's inception six decades ago, this party will no longer be able to represent the Chinese in the BN government.

Does a badly bruised MCA command the most fundamental respect and status to talk about the rights and interests of the Chinese community in front of other BN component parties? What significant role could such a party ever play in BN again?

Infighting at the expense of Chinese community
An MCA that is no longer relevant will drag the entire Chinese community along to suffer the consequences, making the Chinese community a sacrifice of its constant infightings and weaknesses.

If MCA leaders, the central delegates and party members still believe in democracy, they should do things according to party constitution. The party constitution is the supreme law of any political entity. What is the constitution good for if the party refuses to abide by it and operate in conformity to it? If the party president can choose to ignore the constitution, what else can he not do?

As such, to resolve the current impasse, it is imperative that we go back to the party constitution, and execute the resolutions of EGM--the highest institution of authority in the party--as per party constitution. Only by upholding the constitution will any unnecessary conflict and argument be put to a complete halt.

A mission to clear up the truth
As the Fourth Estate in a democractic system, Chinese newspapers will never confront, nor side, any political party or faction, but will instead stand firm on their stand and mission to help the public see the truth, for the interests of the Chinese community. They will not opt for silence for fear of accusations that they have hidden agendas behind their moves, or are supporting or against any particular leader.

They are well aware that it is an act of connivance if they choose to keep quiet when they should not.

The Chinese community has grown sick of infightings within MCA, and is most unwilling to see itself become a sacrifice just because the party's leader does not honour his promises, or conform to the party constitution and EGM resolutions.

We must see very clearly who will be the eventual winners or losers if the crisis is allowed to go its course.

The MCA central committee is tasked with a critical duty to put things on the right track again. It cannot afford to disappoint the Chinese community, but must strive to put a stop to the current crisis as soon as possible.

Only an MCA that uplifts democratic views and remains strong has what it takes to justifiably represent the Chinese community of Malaysia.

(Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily)
MySinchew 2009.11.03