Liow: Rakyat don’t trust Dr M
Former PM’s constant twisting of facts has made people lose faith
KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is no longer trusted by the rakyat for his constant “u-turns” and “twisting” of facts, said MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
“He attacked DAP for 22 years when he was prime minister. But now, he is embracing DAP and at the same time, DAP is also embracing him,” he told reporters after launching the 10 Economic Strategic Directions Conference and Exhibition at Wisma MCA here yesterday.
The theme of the conference was “Empowering Malaysian Youths in Agribusiness”.
Liow was responding to Dr Mahathir’s recent blogpost, in which the ex-premier wrote that he should bear responsibility for demonising DAP, adding that the party, unlike MCA, was open to all races.
Slamming DAP as a party with no principles, Liow said the people would not believe Dr Mahathir.
“Previously, DAP asked the Government to investigate Dr Mahathir on the foreign exchange losses (incurred by Bank Negara in the 1990s).
“Now that they are in the same gang, DAP says there is no need to investigate. This doesn’t show that the party is upholding its principles and integrity,” he said.
On Red Shirts’ leader Datuk Seri Jamal Yunos smashing crates of beer outside the Selangor state secretariat building, Liow said he should act with sensitivity.
“Other races have the right to consume alcoholic drinks. We are a multiracial country. As a leader, he should be careful with his actions and take care of the feelings of other races,” he said.
He also said he disagreed with former Selangor mentri besar Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib’s suggestion for Barisan Nasional to focus only on the Malay-majority seats to regain the state from the Opposition.
“Barisan is a (coalition) party that is inclusive. We work as a multiracial party, not a one-race party,” said Liow, adding that the allocation of seats for the general election would be based on consensus in the spirit of Barisan.
Muhammad had reportedly said if Umno were to win all the Malay seats out of 56 state seats, a new state government could be formed without the help of non-Malays.
Earlier in his speech, Liow said more businesses and employment opportunities could be developed from the agricultural sector.
“If planned well, our farms and orchards can double up as tourist attractions – just as it is in developed countries. Agro hotels in farms and fishing villages can increase tourism receipts and generate better income,” he said.
In his speech, MCA Youth chief Datuk Chong Sin Woon said it was time for Malaysia to look into agriculture as a building block that would make the country prosperous.
Barisan is a (coalition) party that is inclusive. We work as a multi-racial party, not a one-race party. Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai