Federal Govt should use Proton

The incoming news of plans to use BMWs and Mercedes Benzes as the official cars of for the Federal Government is indeed disappointing.

Read : Govt mulls Benz, BMWs as Proton delays new Perdana

If we change to Mercedes and BMWs now, the Government will be using the cars for a long time and most probably even after the new Proton Perdana is launched.



I am quite sure that if we change to Mercedes and two years down the road the new Perdana is launched, it will be quite a financial burden to switch back to Proton.

Excuses will be in place then and Proton's support from the Federal Government will soon be eroded. Proton has already lost the support of a few State Governments :

• Terengganu
• Pulau Pinang
• Sarawak (anyone wants to update me of the list?)

Imagine a country that pays approximately RM 100-200 million in R&D fundings to their national carmaker but the Government leaders do not use the cars during their official duties.

How can we showcase to the world that we truly believe in making world class cars and we are proud of our own Malaysian Made cars that are built up by the hands of Malaysians ?

The Government must remember that the rakyat wants Ministers and leaders to experience the life of the rakyat.

That is why we ask the Prime Minister, the Transport Minister, and the Works Minister to use our roads, our cars and our public transport.

This will ensure that the leaders know the people's daily life, welfare, needs, and expectations so that they can serve the rakyat better.


The same goes for Proton cars. There are grouses among the people about our National Automotive Policy and the quality of Proton cars.

If you think the cars are not good enough, tell the engineers to make it better. If you think the cars are not fast enough, tell them to make it faster. If you think the cars are not comfortable enough, tell them to make it comfortable.

A reprimand from the Government of Malaysia will have considerably strong effects on the engineers and management of Proton to make them move from their lazy couches back to the drawing boards.

If the Prime Minister and Ministers of Malaysia do not provide sound criticism (for improvement) or give encouragement to our national carmaker by using the Proton cars, I see no reason how Proton can continue to be a national project and one which we can be proud of.


There are many polls around in blogs and the online media that cover many issues like the Barisan Nasional coalition, Pakatan Rakyat problems, education, scandals etc.

I do not see why Proton cannot do a poll for the people to choose their favourite car by design and quality. Let the statistics provide feedback to Proton and allow the engineers to develop a "People's Car" concept.

Toyota engineers continue to develop their specific lines such as Camry and Vios. These cars do not retire and continue to be developed, modified and improved - unlike the strategy of Proton.

Proton Wira and Proton Waja are two good cars but if I'm not mistaken, these two well loved cars have been retired and replaced as well.

Proton Perdana is no longer in the line of production and one wonders why Proton has not developed or launched new versions of their most expensive range (Perdana) at all over the years except perhaps upgrading the engines and modifying the lights.

Of the many panels and taskforces set up, Proton ought to have one soon.


(I stand corrected)

Reemergence of the DVD in MCA

I refer to the articles published

1. ‘Third force’ re-distributing sex DVD: MCA’s Ti (The Star)
2. Third Force Emerged (Ti Lian Ker)
3. Chua sex video resurfacing won’t make a difference: Wee (The Star)

I share the majority's opinion that Dr Chua Soi Lek has done alot for the Malaysian Government as a Minister and for MCA as a member and leader.


However, the recent reemergence of the DVD on Dr Chua can be interpreted as a warning as to how the Party will be seen in the future if the political tussle sees the rise of Dr Chua to lead.

It shows how easy it is for others (be it in the country or internationally) to use the DVD as an introduction to the politician/leader in the future.

As much as we dislike the DVD reemergence today since we all appreciate the contributions of Dr Chua to MCA and the Health Ministry, we must not discount the major points such as image and principles.

How do we want people to see our Government and the Malaysian Chinese Association ? It is for you to decide.

Third force or not, this is the main point MCA members must consider.

MCA Central Committee

Stop Ong from using MCA as own instrument, Chua tells delegates (The Malaysian Insider)

“Do not allow the party to be used as an instrument only by the president in his fight. It is a party for all members and let the delegates decide the future of the leaders and direction of the party,”

On the central committee’s (CC) decision to suspend him for four years, Dr Chua said: “Are they trying to say the CC is more supreme than the extraordinary general meeting (EGM)?”

MCA will hold an EGM on Oct 10 to solve a crisis plaguing the party.

“I will leave it to the wisdom of the MCA delegates to decide my fate and I believe they will make a wise decision in the interest of the party,” he said.



A PIECE OF MY MIND

When I first read this news, I was disappointed. MCA over the years have been accused of a conspirator in the PKFZ scandal which costs RM 4.6 billion now from the original plan of RM 1.1 billion.

In fact, MCA has approximately RM 2 billion in assets now - most of which were contributed by NGOs, politicians, the Malaysian Chinese community as well as business under Huaren Holdings ever since the establishment of the Party. (I stand corrected)

Only one man stood up and defended the Party when he said - MCA has never been involved in PKFZ.

No one else came up to say "Tee Keat we walk with you" until now where MCA members and supporters of Barisan Nasional finally rise to fight for the truth.

As President of MCA, indeed he has his powers over the various panels in the party.

However, the Central Committee have seasoned politicians on board and it will be a terrible insult if Dr Chua's words imply that Tee Keat exploits the Central Committee or the Party.

This can only be done if the panel and the Party consists of puppets and Yes Men only.

In any case, the Central Committee is above any one man in the Party and they were all democratically elected by the delegates as well as chosen by the leadership.



That is the message of the Central Committee I believe and the idea of Central Committee being more supreme than an EGM holds no water as the decision made will not affect the EGM.

Just like the Supreme Council and the Disciplinary Board of UMNO, Central Committee of MCA is no different where these bodies lie higher than any single man and are the heartbeat of the respective Parties which they represent.

As a former Cabinet member and a Deputy President of MCA as well as the BN Chief Coordinator, Dr Chua knows truly well the mix between politics and Party .

Ong Tee Keat as the President of MCA carries the burden and portfolio as the leader of a party. As such, his words and actions in absolute terms reflect the Party's stand, image and leadership.

Tee Keat has lost his option of privacy and independent political path when he decided to take office as President of MCA and dedicate his life to serve the country.

One cannot separate his life - private from public, politics from party - when elected and given the office of MCA President or in fact as leader of any political organization with public interests.

Just like how Najib cannot separate his personal political path from his position as Prime Minister of Malaysia and President of UMNO.

It is like telling Obama that his politics is his alone and not the White House's business or even the Democratic Party's or in a smaller scope - Najib and UMNO.



Dr Chua must not stoop low to create the impression that Tee Keat has blurred the lines and imply that Tee Keat abused his power by using the weight of MCA.

MCA members will make themselves heard soon where members who love the Party know well that the Party is above any one man.

I wonder if the Party delegates and members will continue to receive praises from Dr Chua if the EGM on October 10th does not turn out in favour of him.

Statesman and Dictators

DR MAHATHIR MOHAMAD (retired)

• Positions held - UMNO President, Prime Minister
• Years in power - 1981 to 2003 (22 years)

Note : UMNO President and Prime Minister positions have changed hands twice after Dr M, now under Najib Tun Razak



DR LING LIONG SIK (retired)

• Positions held - MCA President, Transport Minister
• Years in power - 1986 to 2003 (17 years)

Note : MCA Presidency has changed hands twice after Dr Ling, now under Ong Tee Keat



SAMY VELLU (still around)

• Positions held - President of MIC, Works Minister
• Years in power - 1979 to now (30 years)

Note : MIC Elections have just concluded and the President is still the same face.



TUAN GURU NIK AZIZ NIK MAT (still around)

• Positions held - Mursyidul Am, Menteri Besar Kelantan
• Years in power - 1989 to now (20 years)

Note : Kelantan leadership remain in the same hands for 20 years and Kelantan PAS is widely seen as powerhouse of the whole Party. PAS has a new President now, after Datuk Fadzil Nor during Dr M's administration, but widely seen as powerless.



LIM KIT SIANG (still around)

• Positions held - Opposition Leader (OpL), Elected Representative (ER), Secretary General DAP (SG), Chairman DAP (CDAP), DAP Parliamentary Leader (DAPPL)
  


• Years in power - 29 years (OpL) , 35 years and counting (ER), 30 years (SG), 4 years (CDAP), 1 year plus and counting (DAPPL)

Note : Basically 29 years as Opposition Leader, 35 years to date as Elected Rep, and 35 years as Party Chief (he is widely seen as holding the power in the party since his years as Sec-Gen).

Ahem. Old guards overstaying ?

A PIECE OF MY MIND

Countless times have I heard politicians and Opposition supporters claiming that Dr Mahathir is a dictator. A dictator does not retire, learned ones. The above data is all yours to interpret.

I am writing this piece because I feel that Datuk Seri Samy Vellu must step down graciously as the longest serving President of MIC.

When it is time, it is time. There are no more tomorrows or live to fight another day.

Let MIC start fresh with a new young leadership to rejuvenate the party, just like how UMNO and MCA members flexed their muscles via the Disciplinary Board and Supreme Council in order to uplift their quality and image.

However, I do not agree with the call for MIC's status in the Coalition to be reviewed.

Barisan Nasional needs MIC and MIC needs Barisan Nasional. This is a fact and breaking up the pact will only send Barisan Nasional into total chaos.

As much as Barisan Nasional partners are angry with the MIC Presidential Speech that slammed DS Najib Tun Razak's keynote delivery and also the delegate who proposed to garland a picture of Dr Mahathir with slippers, we must not let emotions to affect our rationality.

MIC has the machinery, the support base and the right people who can make in roads among the people to garner support not only for the Indian leaders but also for Barisan Nasional.

Anwar Ibrahim and Zaid Ibrahim are fast in introducing the BN concept and strategy among Pakatan Rakyat politicians and grassroot members.


Hacking off MIC will mean that we are sending away a well setup election team and a few hundred thousand members whom are also voters.

It will only give Pakatan Rakyat the extra numbers - something which they will be happy to pocket no matter whom or which party - in their Politics First, Putrajaya Now concept.

MIC is not the only one with a long serving leader. DAP and PAS too but I shall leave Tok Nik's political career aside for others to look into.

The Lim family continue the stranglehold on DAP and it is indeed surprising how a Malaccan who got rejected by Malacca DAP (during the days of Kerk Kim Hock in DAP) can jump to Penang and suddenly becomes the Penang DAP Chief Minister.

Senior Lim stepped aside, Junior Lim took the Secretary General DAP post while veteran Karpal Singh became the Chairman. Lim Kit Siang then went on to take up the position as DAP Parliamentary leader.

It makes me wonder whether Karpal Singh knows if he really has his rank and file support or not.

Do we see similarities between the Lims in DAP and the Lees in PAP ?

Yet, Dr Mahathir is labelled as a Dictator. Tun Dr Mahathir is surely not one but a highly respectable Statesman !

(Credits to Malaysiakini, The Nut Graph, The Malaysian Insider and Daylife for the pictures)

MIC should apologize to Dr M

MCA - Agenda for Change (Part 5) will be published later as we get nearer to the EGM date.

As for now, I am joining the calls of the blogosphere in asking MIC to apologize to Tun Dr Mahathir for the insults and criticisms by the President and a MIC leader.

In the case of Penang UMNO vs Penang Gerakan, Dato Ahmad Ismail tore apart and stamped the picture of Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon, the Gerakan President.

Subsequently, Datuk Ahmad Ismail was suspended from all positions and UMNO for 3 years.



Today, we hear news that an MIC leader wants to garland Tun Mahathir's portrait with slippers. Such a level of disrespect if carried out, should be sent into political retirement with a letter of membership termination.

Given that he paid lip service only, the matter should be handle in the same way UMNO handled Datuk Ahmad Ismail's case.


Suspend the man and MIC should send an official apology to Tun Mahathir ! A PIECE OF MY MIND hopes to see some action taken soon.

Read other bloggers' take :

1. APANAMA2020 - Who is the bloody bastard ?
2. Rockybru - Was the garland your idea, M Muniandy ?



UPDATED 5.49PM
Good news ! MIC suspends delegate who suggested slipper garland for Dr M.

(Credits to Malaysiakini for the pictures)

MCA - Agenda for Change (Part 4)

A PIECE OF MY MIND will dedicate the month long period to MCA's crisis and lay the foundations for thoughts when the time to decide comes.

This will be Part Four - The Accusations

KDSB Flights

Press Statement (by Simon Lim for Tee Keat) on KDSB Private Jet

“On Aug 12, Faisal claimed that Ong owed US$40,000 for chartered flights. Then, he changed his tune when he found out that those jets cannot be hired since the company does not have the license (Air Operators’ Certificate) to do so. He then came up with the US$10,000 figure being for fuel and airport charges on Aug 13. At a press conference the same day, Faisal changed his position again saying that it was just based on an ‘understanding’ which has yet to be substantiated."

Yes, Tee Keat has openly admitted for taking the flights as he needed to fly to places on 3 or 4 occasions as MCA President.

In his capacity as a politician and not a representative Minister of the Cabinet, Tee Keat is not allowed to use the fleet of Malaysian Govt owned chopper or jets.

As such, he used the KDSB one and since there are no invoices officially, Tee Keat has also offered to pay the RM 100k for the flights himself.

That should answer any doubts about the KDSB "free flights". This case should end here and deemed irrelevant for further discussion.



RM 10 million story

As for the RM 10 million donation, I do not know the truth as I am not the right hand man of either Tee Keat or Tiong. I guess only both of them and their aides know the truth.

However, it was said to be in cash and in 3 instalments if I am not mistaken. RM 10 million is not a small sum. I read some questions once posted in OutSyed The Box.

"RM10.0 million is a lot of money. Does Tiong King Sing have any evidence that he gave the RM10.0 million? I am sure that amount of money was not handed over in a wheel barrow. There must be some record, some bank transfer. So how exactly was the money transferred? "

READ MORE HERE

Malaysia's highest denomination of bills come in RM 100 sheets. If each instalment is about RM 3.3 million ringgit, that comes to about 33,000 sheets of RM 100.

I have never seen cash more than RM 1000. But I am quite sure 33,000 sheets of RM 100 is not easy to bring around or even count.

Thankfully the "accusations" did not go around saying that the RM 10 million was passed on to Tee Keat in one go. That will mean 100,000 sheets of RM 10.

To get so many sheets of RM 100 bills is not easy and involves banks. Of course, we cannot also walk straight up to any bank branch and say "I want RM 10 million in RM 100 bills right away".

Moreover, this is assuming the bills are in RM 100 denominations. If it is RM 50, it will take 66,000 sheets of RM 50 for RM 3.3 million and 200,000 sheets of RM 50 for RM 10 million.

If the person who transported the cash, i.e. Tiong's aide, comes out with his own declaration and witness statement, we cannot justify such an accusation based on words said or a Statutory Declaration.

The law or code of ethics provide benefit of the doubt to the accused until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

Use some logic and sense please when we debate and let us not be stubborn. As a President and as a Minister, Tee Keat has done no wrong and he has my full support.



Note : My final piece on MCA - Agenda for Change will be a reflection for all Barisan Nasional and especially MCA members. It will be posted soon.

MCA - Agenda for Change (Part 3)

A PIECE OF MY MIND will dedicate the month long period to MCA's crisis and lay the foundations for thoughts when the time to decide comes.

This will be Part Three - The Political Cost of PKFZ transparency

A man who is at the peak of his career as Minister and President of the largest Chinese based organization in Malaysia, will he stir the hornet's nest by going transparent and open if he knows that the bees will sting him in the end which might spell the end of his career ?

Only a senile man will do so and definitely not the President of MCA. Read this good article : Tough times call for tough measures

Since the very beginning, the Malaysian Chinese Association President Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat held on firmly to his pledge that the Ministry of Transport will come clean, open and transparent in the case of PKA - PKFZ project.


Never once was anything hidden or shrouded in secrecy. Never once was there any attempts to sweep the case under the carpet. Never once was there any procedures to seal and close the case under the Official Secrets Act.

It is indeed a big political cost now. Many toes were stepped on in the PKFZ expose and this has been exploited in a move to remove Tee Keat.

Tee Keat also failed to check that many MCA members and leaders merely sat at the sidelines - watching Tee Keat going "all in" alone.

No one in MCA stated their stand on the PKFZ issue. Ask those who are in the headlines today that claim they are out to save MCA.

Ask people like Dr Chua, members of the Central Delegates EGM Action Committee, Save MCA Movement etc.

• What is your stand on the PKFZ matter ?

• Will MCA - who holds the Transport Ministry portfolio in Barisan Nasional - continue to be transparent and accountable in the PKFZ issue ?

• Has Tee Keat not laid the foundations of good governance, accountability and integrity ?

• What have you done for the Party when the institution was accused by the people and by fellow BN members for having a hand in the PKFZ scandal ?

• Over the past few months when MCA battled for their image and reforms, everyone kept quiet and some continue to ridicule the efforts of Tee Keat instead of pushing the message of reforms. Why suddenly now many found their voices ?
  

These are asked because as a Malaysian in the new political age and philosophy, reading RPK's latest article - The Inconvenient Truth About Why Chua Soi Lek Was Sacked - is making many worried.

Regardless of the credibility of that article - which Dr Chua Soi Lek's camp have yet to response to - we all must consider the path MCA wants to walk down.

Are we for short term gains or long term success ?

My say ? Tee Keat has done no wrong as Minister of Transport - representing MCA in the Cabinet.

Only Tee Keat stood up and corrected the wrong, tell the wrong and fought to redeem the Malaysian Chinese Association not only in the Coalition but also in the eyes of the people.

This is what we call - CHANGE.


April 29, 2009
Tee Keat: PKFZ report out in a week
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said today he has ordered the Port Klang Authority (PKA) to release the Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) report which was commissioned last May after explanations by former Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy failed to satisfy the public.


May 28, 2009
PKFZ audit report now online; 20 key issues
The release of the report was a clear instruction from Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, said PKA chairman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng at a press conference in the PKA office here Thursday. “I was also instructed to hand the report over to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission. I’ll be there tomorrow at 8am,” he said, adding that this was because PKA does not have any investigative authority.


July 1, 2009
Tee Keat will comply with PAC summons over PKFZ
Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said today that the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has the power and right to call anyone to give an explanation regarding the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) RM12.5 billion scandal. “If I am called then of course I will comply. That was my promise and the promise will be fulfilled,” he said.

July 08, 2009
No Proof Yet Of Irregularities In PKFZ Issue : MB
Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim Wednesday said there had not been any proof that showed there had been any irregularities in the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project. He said it was his opinion that what happened was that the Port Klang Authority (PKA) was not experienced in managing the free zone and needed to be responsible for the investments made.


July 17, 2009
Ong reveals big hurdle in revealing report
POWERFUL forces are trying to stop Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat from revealing the Pricewaterhouse-Coopers (PwC) report on Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ). Ong said some in the Government also opposed the report being made public. He said there was even a message from an underground figure saying that if he suddenly “disappeared from this world one day”, he should know what brought it about.


July 22, 2009
PKFZ: Letters of support made public
According to PKA chairman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng, the decision to post the appendices on the website is in line with Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat’s stance on transparency and accountability. "Under the minister's instruction, the PKA has put the report online and allowed the public to view the appendices," he said, adding that he hoped the issue of MPs not receiving the full report would to an end.


July 26, 2009
Ong: MCA has never been involved in PKFZ
“If any individual from MCA, irrespective of his position, was involved in his individual or personal capacity in such a debacle, he should subject himself to public scrutiny and investigations conducted by the authorities concerned. I did it in the interest of the people and I believe the truth must prevail."


July 26, 2009
PKFZ – only the truth matters
MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat has made two startling statements over the past few weeks. First, he revealed that companies and individuals had collaborated to stop him from disclosing the audit report from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) issue.

August 12th, 2009
Tiong claims RM10 million donation paid in cash to Tee Keat
Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing claims the RM10 million donation he made last year to MCA via Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat was paid in three separate cash installments. According to a report in this evening’s China Press, Tiong claimed he could also summon a witness to prove that Ong had asked him for the donation.


August 13, 2009
MCA president: Duo trying to divert people’s attention from issue
“If indeed I have received pecuniary and financial benefits for myself or the party, there will be more reasons for me to protect the interests of the givers, as opposed to proceeding to expose their misdeeds.

“By doing so, I am risking my personal and family safety as well as my own credibility,” Ong, who is MCA president, wrote in his blog www.ongteekeat.net.





(Credits to Malaysiakini, The Nut Graph & The Star for the photos)

MCA - Agenda for Change (Part 2)

A PIECE OF MY MIND will dedicate the month long period to MCA's crisis and lay the foundations for thoughts when the time to decide comes.

This will be Part Two - Unity & Forgiveness

This is my second article against the Save MCA Movement. I do not question the underlying principles which is to strengthen and revive MCA.

However, the Save MCA Campaign is lacking in many aspects that make people like me being suspicious of the Movement.

The first time the Save MCA Campaign attempted to "save" MCA, Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting was made to bear the blame and he subsequently "retired" along with many party stalwarts in the top leadership.

In fact some Old Guards even blamed MCA for putting young faces to contest in the March 2008 election, instead of familiar old faces.

I shall talk about that another day. Today, Theng Bok calls for MCA to be saved again.

“Tee Keat is causing disunity in the party, please come forward to save MCA,” said Theng.

To me, it is as though within MCA there is another "MCA" with its own leadership, panel and members.

I can see that many in the Save MCA Movement are Division party elders and I wish not to offend anyone who are of a higher seniority than me in age out of respect.

However, I see conflicting remarks that can only make the Save MCA Movement look like child's play.

Tee Keat’s past history as MCA youth chief was also dredged up.

“He caused the 803 crisis,” said Theng, referring to a chair throwing fiasco at the Flamingo Hotel in August 2001 that embarrassed the party. (Malaysiakini)

"He caused the chair-throwing incident which led to a party crisis. I think in the next party crisis, he will cause the party to collapse. It cannot be denied that the president is only good at destroying the party." (NST)

If the votes for Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek as Deputy President with a count of 1115 votes can be interpreted as forgiveness by MCA delegates for his sex scandal and the votes are taken as a support for him to fortify the party, then what about the 1429 votes for Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat ?

Clearly, the votes can also be interpreted as a "forgiveness" for the fracas of the MCA Youth meeting in 2001 (if Theng Bok is so adamant to blame Tee Keat for it), and the votes are to be taken as a voice of full support to Tee Keat to revive and reform the Party under his leadership.

In the race for the Deputy Presidency, remember that 1001 votes went to Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan - 1001 votes against CSL.

My point here is clear. These are all merely interpretations, choice of words and language which we can play around with.

If Tee Keat wants to play with words, he can easily do it himself or assemble a team of political strategists to do so. Instead, Tee Keat chose to be frank and direct in Party matters.

My advice is this - let us all judge the two personalities based on performance and the path that we want MCA to walk down from this point on, not a juggling act of words play.

Also, change the path and structure of the Save MCA Movement.

Instead of spending time to bring down one after another leadership (not just the President), why not go to the ground to talk to the people every week and spend the money for children who needs food, education and the poor who needs shelter ?

To say that Tee Keat is the one causing disunity in the party, I disagree. To reform MCA, the Party needs to undergo changes in attitude and mentality painstakingly.

We do not deny that transparency and accountability were not at the highest level back then given the lack of political awareness over the past few decades that have provided a huge comfort zone to politicians all these while .

Ever since his journey into politics, Tee Keat has shown the way which many politicians are practising in Australia, United Kingdom, Taiwan, Japan and of course United States.

I need not remind everyone about the school funds allocation case when Tee Keat was in his Youth days, do I ?

It was highly controversial back then but I shall let it stay buried and "forgotten". I wasn't very much into politics back then anyway so my knowledge of that merely came from the papers.

Today, we have the PKFZ scandal where Ong Tee Keat with his own initiatives and together with the Executive orders of the Barisan Nasional Cabinet walked the talk to tell all to the Malaysian public - a responsibility they owe to the people when given the mandate to govern the country.

These ethics and values are being integrated into the system and set by the Party President as a bar for members, current and future leaders to follow suit.

Yet, while doing so, many toes were stepped on. Some people even said that Tee Keat is merely play acting with the PKFZ story.

This is not true. In fact, Tee Keat was the one who first promised that there will be no stones left unturned and received the endorsement/orders from the Cabinet to carry out his duties.

People who knows Tee Keat will be able to tell that his personality his direct, frank and not a hush-hush person.

The PKFZ issue will be detailed out soon based on facts, efforts and questions as we consider the future path of MCA - an Agenda for Change - and not some big talk to "Save MCA".

MCA - Agenda for Change (Part 1)

A PIECE OF MY MIND will dedicate the month long period to MCA's crisis and lay the foundations for thoughts when the time to decide comes.

This will be Part One - Save MCA Campaign.

Over the past few months, we have heard that many leaders are unhappy with Ong Tee Keat's leadership.

In fact, my guess is these whispers began right after Ong Tee Keat was voted in as President of MCA by 1429 delegates and Chua Soi Lek voted in as Deputy President by 1115 delegates.

(Read on and you will get my smokey message)

These were initially whispers but ever since the official release of the unedited PKFZ audit report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the whispers became louder.

One particular group was always in the news headlines in the mainstream media, in blogs and in online news portals.

"Save MCA Campaign/Movement". Initially, the objective was known by many as a movement to revive MCA and to save MCA from poor leadership during Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting's era.

Don't remember ? This shall refresh your memory - Save MCA Campaign kicks off in Ipoh (April 7, 2008).

Ever since Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting stepped down and Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat was elected in as President, the Save MCA Campaign did not fizzle out.

Read - Group to oust Ong in tit-for-tat move (Aug 27, 2009)

Those involved in the Save MCA Campaign had to search for a new dartboard. Ong Tee Keat was placed in the shooting range and now, the Save MCA movement is getting more vocal than before.

In fact, the Save MCA Campaign can be rephrased as "Oust Ong Tee Keat Movement".

One need not be a genius to see through such things. The Save MCA Campaign might as well be renamed as "Jobs Street MCA Campaign" or "Dr Chua for President Camapaign".

We can also pose a question as to what are the real motives of the Save MCA Campaign. Someone even asked me what is Datuk Theng Book getting by doing such things.

I honestly do not know. But I do know for sure one thing.

By attacking and removing the President of MCA, almost the whole Presidential Council together with many Central Committee members, Branch leaders and State leaders will be sent off too.

There will be dozens of open positions to fill when that happens - Ministers, Deputy Ministers, State EXCOs, Political Secretaries, councillors, Political Aides, State MCA Chiefs, Bureau Heads, etc.

All these come with salary, allowances, bonuses and many other perks that will only go to the pockets of those who are aligned to the new President.

Please, don't tell me Dr Chua will maintain Ong Tee Keat as the Transport Minister if he managed to displace the incumbent.

In words they say Save MCA Campaign.


But when MCA was blasted, slapped and trashed by members of the party, by the Opposition and by fellow BN politicians when it comes to education policies and the handling of the PKFZ scandal (which is totally a hot potato handed down to Ong Tee Keat), where were these vocal voices who said they love MCA ?

I hear no Datuk Theng Book. I hear no Dr Chua Soi Lek. I hear none of these "grassroot leaders" saying "Tee Keat, we walk the talk with you !".

This is clearly what Datuk Ti Lian Ker has described of what some members' thoughts are :

"On one hand, we supported the Minister of Transport to continue his agenda of transparency and accountability. On the other hand , it was advocated that we stay away from Ong Tee Keat and watch him being attacked or sieged for discharging his responsibility as a Minister in an MCA portfolio whereby his predecessors had made a mess and had shamed the party, MCA."

So is it really a Save MCA Campaign ? Who is the one causing disunity in the party since early 2008 ? Do you honestly think Ong Tee Keat is the one ?

Hot Talk on MCA

One particular reader's comment on my article Think, MCA! caught my attention. Allow me to reproduce it here


WL,

I heard many aunties asking what benefit does Theng Bok get for coordinating the Save MCA campaign?

The aunties also laugh said the Ling Liong Sik sons also paying money to get Chua Soi Lek to take over Ong Tee Keat cos they angry with OTK trying to dig up PKFZ. They very unhappy their father called in to be questioned, now they want revenge.

Do you have information, WL? Please share. Tks


I have no comments on this. Anyone who has information can always write to me.

However, I do know that ever since Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat was "groomed" to be the President of MCA by the leadership and subsequently endorsed to helm the Party in the 2008 Party Elections, there have been countless moves to displace him.

The logic is simple and clear. By forcing Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat into retirement, almost the whole Presidential Council together with many Central Committee members, Branch leaders and State leaders will be sent off too.

In other words, the Save MCA Campaign might actually be a "Jobs Street MCA Campaign" to fill the vacancies and move up the ladder.

The 2008 was indeed a tsunami not just for Barisan Nasional but MCA. The Party needs a new direction and leadership.

We can see now that leaders of the past as well as rejected leaders in the 2008 Election whom we can call "MCA Old Guards" are making a come back and riding high by exploiting the Dr Chua's sacking case.

If Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, a relatively new blood and bold leader, is not given the opportunity to reform and show MCA the essence of transparency, integrity and accountability, then when will MCA learn and rise from their fall ?

When will the factions and warlords of MCA unite for the party and focus on strengthening Barisan Nasional to provide good public services to the Malaysian community ?

Malaysian Mirror has a good take on the battle of the warlords - Same old story in MCA.

The classic history of the Chinese dynasties where warlords and Imperial members who frequently battle for the throne are being repeated in MCA.

In the end, the dynasties and the nation suffered badly. I can only say that MCA has only itself to blame for the destruction of the party.



(Credits to Malaysiakini, NST and The Nut Graph for the pictures)