Blame yourself, Chinese-based political parties told
KUCHING: Chinese- based political parties in the country have no one but themselves to blame for their disastrous outing in both the state election and in the just- concluded general election.
Chairman of the Board of Management for Kuching Chung Hua Middle Schools No.1, 3 and 4, Richard Wee, said MCA, Gerakan or SUPP leaders had not been able to deliver what the Chinese community had wanted all along.
“I do not know whether they haven’t fought hard enough, but it is evident that what the Chinese community had requested seems to have fallen on deaf ears, and some issues just drag on and on without positive results.
“The election results go to show the people feel that whether in or outside the government, it makes no difference. It is their own doings that the Chinese community has supported the opposition,” he said when contacted here yesterday.
He was asked to comment whether the Chinese in Sarawak would face a bleak future since SUPP lost all six Chinese-majority parliamentary seats, namely Bandar Kuching, Stampin, Sibu, Lanang and Sarikei (to the DAP), and Miri to PKR, in the May 5 general election.
Wee opined that ‘ life goes on’ even though the Chinese community in the state was not represented in the government at federal level.
He said Chinese independent schools here would have to continue to be self-reliant, adding: “Anyway, it has been so all this while.”
“Every time we request for certain assistance from the government, we are hoping that they can be sympathetic and understand the kind of hardship we have gone through.
“Say, for example, the recognition of UEC ( Unified Examination Certificate), I do not understand why it is so difficult for UEC to gain recognition when many universities worldwide recognise the credential.”
Wee did not rule out the possibility that the Chinese had cast ‘emotional votes’ as he reasoned “there are issues they are not happy about, and the opposition is able to capitalise on them.”
He was quick to add: “The Chinese are practical people, and if the government has been fair and willing to listen they will be supportive of the government.
“After all, they have given MCA, Gerakan and SUPP so many years to do something.”
He urged Chinese-based political parties to be more proactive in addressing issues affecting the Chinese rather than pushing them to the opposition.
“Instead of trying to point fingers at the Chinese community, saying that now they have supported the opposition and hence should turn to the opposition for help, MCA, Gerakan and SUPP should find ways to engage the Chinese.”