Bane of money politics in MCA polls

FORMER MCA president Tan Sri Dr Chua Soi Lek has expressed regret over the emergence of money politics in the justconcluded party polls.

He said although those who received money were not brave enough to admit it, it was an open secret that money was used to buy votes, China Press reported yesterday.

If this continues, MCA will become a party where only the rich can afford to contest in party polls, he warned.

“I heard there were a lot of complaints about money politics, including (allegations) that a few division chiefs in Johor had also received money.

“If this goes on, MCA will be like Umno, where money is used to change leaders’ and grassroots’ attitude and whom they support without regard to political ideology and principles.”

Chua said for a party that was whitewashed in the last general election, it is sad that money politics should emerge in the party elections, adding that it reflected the lack of quality and political wisdom among division leaders.

The Batu Pahat division chief, who was among the first to vote in the division on Sunday, said he returned to the division to vote because he did not want to “play-play” with the election as it was a democratic process, or forfeit his right to vote.

He said he found the problem of factionalism had become more and more serious over the three decades, since 1989, that he had taken part in party polls.

He expressed hope the winners and losers of the polls would close ranks.

“But the problem is some people in the party harbour the ‘winner takes all’ mentality,” he said, adding that not everybody practised inclusiveness like he did.

“If the problem of factions in the party is not overcome, MCA does not need enemies like DAP to be defeated.”