15 Sept 2019

Press statement by MCA Vice President Senator Dato' Sri Ti Lian Ker on the UMNO-PAS pact

The cooperation between political parties are partial and inherently a norm. There are common issues and platforms that political parties should work on. This is especially so in Malaysia when political parties are identified by race or religion.

For example, DAP attempted to project a multiracial facade but they are in reality a Chinese party with a multiracial facade and dressing.

However, their political game and manoeuvre have always been based on Chinese support. Thus, the past records of working with PAS, UMNO leaders and even had in the past expressed their willingness to work with UMNO.

In fact, DAP had set the precedent that in politics there are no barriers.  They are very focused on attacking MCA as in reality, their main political rival for Chinese votes is MCA.

Unlike DAP, MCA is not going to be hypocritical or two-faced about the need to seek common grounds and narrow the racial religious divide in multiracial Malaysia. 

We are not going to be in a denial and pretend that there is no racial or religious political divide in Malaysia. 

However, we are going along the spirit of building consensus, understandings and narrowing any gap or differences among us.

We do not want an "apartheid" like politics in Malaysia whereby cooperation with or among certain religion or race is seen to be a "taboo" or "forbidden".

All political parties should be accorded their rightful dignity and respect. In the spirit of our founder of Malaysia, we must attempt to build inter-racial inter-religious understanding, cooperation and tolerance.

MCA will continue to uphold this spirit of our founding members provided that the Constitution and its spirit is not being trespassed or trampled.

We have always upheld the principles that the Federal Constitution must be upheld in its spirit and content.

Although we have suffered collateral damage but we are continuing with our belief that the way forward is about cooperation, tolerance and mutual respect and understanding.

In conclusion, we are not going to follow DAP's declaration of war against the political cooperation between UMNO and PAS or calling the act as Talibanese.

On the contrary we are going to engage and remind them to be mindful of the fabric, content and spirit of the Federal Constitution that is the very foundation of our beloved country and given us peace, harmony and progress for the past 60 odd years.

The Chinese have woken up to the reality of the complexity of Malaysian politics. They have seen that DAP does not walk their talk. They have realised that DAP is well represented but under performing.  MCA has nothing to fear if we walk and speak the truth.

In time, reality strikes.  The truth will prevail and we hope to get better support from the Chinese community in order that we can continue to do the check and balance on extremism in an amicable and acceptable manner.

Dato' Sri Ti Lian Ker

MCA Vice President

-MCA Online-