17 July 2018

Press statement by MCA President Dato’ Seri Liow Tiong Lai

MCA regrets that the appointment of the Dewan Rakyat Speaker by the Parliament’s Lower House violated Clause 4(1) of the Standing Order of the Parliament. The government has apparently failed to comply with the rules, which is to submit the Speaker’s candidate list at least 14 days before Dewan Rakyat proceedings begin. This has rendered the selection process to be void, and undermines the prestige of the government and Parliament.

MCA places great attention on the government’s non-compliance of Parliament rules. It went against the spirit of the law which Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir purports to uphold. Therefore MCA’s sole Member of Parliament, Datuk Seri Ir. Dr. Wee Ka Siong had to walk out from the Parliament Chambers as a sign of protest and has expressed MCA’s stand on this.

The MCA Political Development Committee had discussed this incident at today’s meeting and again reaffirms MCA’s stand that the government must strictly abide by the rule of law to set a good example, as well as to hold high regard for Parliament’s legislative procedure to prevent the new government from being criticised for its determination to build a first-class Parliament.

MCA firmly upholds democracy and the rule of law. Based on this principle, we have protested against the non-compliance, which also shows that MCA is a responsible opposition party. Regrettably, Lim Kit Siang, Member of Parliament for Iskandar Puteri, has diverted attention by claiming that PAS had led Umno, MCA and MIC to leave the Dewan. Lim Kit Siang’s claims are simply accusations thrown out of the blue. MCA sticks to our own stand. We left the Dewan out of our firm principle. It is entirely the choice of Umno and PAS to leave the Dewan as well, and this has nothing to do with MCA.

Do not forget that the same incident had occurred in the Parliament’s Lower House in 1999. At that time, DAP with PAS and other Opposition parties also left the Dewan. What is Lim Kit Siang’s explanation on this? If the Opposition’s lawmakers hold the same stand on the issue, there would be no issue of who is leading who. Lim Kit Siang should not twist words.

In fact, Pakatan played liar in yesterday’s controversy at Parliament. As a senior lawmaker, Lim Kit Siang not only failed to lambast, but also tried to cover up the mistakes. Most people do not agree to his behaviour.

It must be pointed out that since the Pakatan government came to power, not only has it not implement the 100-days pledges, but it also did not change its habit of giving empty talks and vilifying MCA. The people expect Pakatan to be a government that can effectively govern and develop the country. They will not be deceived by Lim Kit Siang’s tricks of the eyes. It is the common practice of Lim Kit Siang to want to cover up, but the rakyat will now see for themselves of how the Pakatan government blatantly violates the rule of law.

Dato’ Seri Liow Tiong Lai

MCA President

-MCA Online-