Daim: MCA has daring leader

20% of Chinese will vote for BN because of Chua, says Umno veteran

It is my opinion that Dr Chua has carried out his duties well.

—TUN DAIM ZAINUDDIN

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek is regarded as a leader who has bravely spoken up for the interest of the community, said Umno veteran Tun Daim Zainuddin.

He added that Dr Chua possessed the spirit of “dare to be angry, dare to speak up.”

“It is my opinion that Dr Chua has carried out his duties well.

“Frankly speaking, if he has done anything wrong, you can criticise him but it must be based on facts,” Daim said in an interview with China Press, which was published yesterday.

He acknowledged that Dr Chua had to work within restrictions in his capacity as the president of a party that is within the Barisan Nasional.

“But he has done his best,” said Daim.

Daim estimated some 20% of the Chinese voters would vote for Barisan in the general election, and he credited Dr Chua’s brave approach as the main reason for that.

On Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Daim said he was a gentleman, but needed to be a street fighter if he wanted to take on DAP.

On Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, Daim said he was still very much influenced by his father Lim Kit Siang, the DAP adviser.

He said Guan Eng had a good think tank but the party needed time to change from always being in the attacking mode.

“They must remember that in Penang, they are the government,” he said.