PETALING JAYA: The DAP has been slammed for making a “U-turn” by supporting China’s Belt and Road initiative while its leaders were earlier critical of MCA’s efforts in pushing for the China-led land-based and maritime economic routes.  

MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pix) said DAP had taken a completely different stance following a courtesy call on China’s ambassador to Malaysia Dr Huang Huikang on Feb 22.  

DAP political education bureau head Liew Chin Tong posted a photo on his Facebook page of party leaders, including of himself and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, calling on Dr Huang.  

Liew said the topics they discussed included the Belt and Road initiative, investment in Penang, economy, tourism, agriculture and education.  

A statement on the website of the Chinese embassy in Malaysia said during the courtesy call, Lim said the Penang state government was willing to enhance cooperation with China under the Belt and Road framework.  

“Does DAP in general, and Liew in particular, now agree with MCA’s efforts in promoting Belt and Road, and admit (that) their criticisms on MCA previously were baseless?” said Dr Wee in a statement Monday.  

Liew had earlier labelled MCA as China’s agent for pushing the Belt and Road initiative after MCA formed a Belt and Road Centre and a People’s Republic of China Affairs Committee.  

Describing the change of stance as a “powerful slap on DAP’s own face”, Dr Wee said it also magnified the Opposition party’s typical double-standard approach.  

“We welcome DAP’s acceptance of China’s Belt and Road initiative as this shows that MCA’s effort in pushing for local entrepreneurs to grasp the business opportunities arising from the initiative, and in enhancing the bilateral ties between China and Malaysia, are correct and far-sighted that even DAP cannot deny,” he said.  

Dr Wee drew attention to DAP’s hypocritical and opportunistic ways as it did not hesitate to change its colour to suit the environment it was in.  

“When the party is trying to please Malay populists, it echoes the anti-China statements by the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.  

“But when it wants to capitalise on the cordial Malaysia-China relations, its top leaders paid a courtesy call on China’s ambassador and even released statements as if it appreciates the relationship between the two countries and welcomes investment from China, just to please the Chinese community here,” he said.  

Dr Wee urged DAP to clarify if the criticisms piled on MCA by the party and its allies were unfounded and only slander.  

Liew’s comments aside, Dr Wee said Pribumi leaders Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had made anti-China assertions, such as blaming Chinese nationals for taking away the rice bowl of Malaysians, criticising the Government for compromising national sovereignty and that 700,000 Chinese nationals would be made Malaysian citizens.  

“DAP made no effort to refute and was only keeping mum. Some of its leaders even attempted to ride on the issue and provoke the negative sentiment, especially among certain Malay populist groups,” Dr Wee said.

-MCA online-