PETALING JAYA: MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong questioned why DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang has not told the Prime Minister that recognising the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) and wealth distribution are two separate issues.

As DAP has 42 parliamentary seats compared to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s 16, he questioned why Lim had not spoken out about the issue.

He said the recognition of UEC and wealth distribution issue were “two separate matters, which can be pursued concurrently”.

However, he said, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was saying that the wealth distribution problem was more urgent than recognising UEC.

“What has distribution of wealth or poverty got to do with skin colour? Is recognition of UEC a racial issue? Why can’t economic reform and UEC recognition be pursued simultaneously?” he questioned.

Dr Wee said Dr Mahathir had been championing the bumiputra agenda and that DAP had remained silent over the matter.

“He first said the Chinese are rich, and DAP didn’t say anything in response.

“And then Bersatu elaborated on the need for a new bumiputra that emphasised on shared prosperity. It believed that the economy of the Malay and bumiputra community should be improved. Again, DAP kept quiet,” he said.

-The Star-