On the positive track
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek is in a confident mood about the party’s chances in the coming general election.
THE last four-and-a-half years of intense battle for Chinese votes have caused much confusion, if not scepticism, within the community.
Of the 222 parliamentary constituencies in the country, 45 have more than 50% Chinese voters while numerous other constituencies have a sizeable number that will influence results.
As both MCA and DAP go all out to woo the Chinese electorate, the 13th general election is seen as a do-or-die battle for their respective coalitions.
In an exclusive interview, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek gives his views on the current political situation, including why many Chinese have not made up their mind yet about voting Barisan Nasional or DAP.
He also speaks about how Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has endeared himself to the people, and why this is set to make a difference in the coming general election.
> With the general election expected to be called any time now, what is the mood of the Chinese voters? Has their unhappiness against the government softened since the 2008 general election?
The people are generally tired of politicians because of this “long” campaigning. They do not know who to trust. Chinese voters are very strategic voters who are always on the look-out for checks and balances. What happened in the last round (the 2008 general election) was that they “over-checked” and “over-balanced”.
The verdict is still open this time round as to whether the Chinese will come back to vote for Barisan or definitely voting for the DAP.
The Chinese voted DAP (in 2008) because the DAP kept on promoting a self-perpetuating lie that the Chinese are very angry with the government and have no choice but to vote for the DAP. The party keeps spinning this and the people follow.
But most Chinese, who are businessmen, traders and hawkers, are also very concerned over bread-and-butter issues and progress, and for this BN stands tall, way above Pakatan.
> The perception is that Malay support seems to have returned to Umno and Indian voters to Barisan. What about the Chinese?
We have never got optimal support from urban Chinese voters all this while. In the urban areas, everything they need is provided for. Infrastructure and services, like helping the people to gain access to government officers, have often been taken for granted by the urban voters but are needed in rural areas, and this is where MCA will shine.
> The electorate’s support for MCA appears to be more stable in Johor and Pahang. Why?
The party is more united in both states. In terms of population, there is also a good mix of Malays, Chinese and Indians there. The state government also plays an important role. Having been a state exco member in Johor for three terms, I could see that the state government takes the effort to reach out to the Chinese community and non-governmental organisations. The state government and Umno leadership must make an attempt to engage the Chinese continually, and not at the last minute, or leave it to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.
> MCA’s nine mega dinners, targeting at least 5,000 guests each, are being held in various states and have received overwhelming response. Is this an indicator?
I am surprised but cautious. Prior to this, people had been receptive to our roadshows where we provide services like free medical screening for the people. As for the mega dinners, each guest has to pay RM30 for food and listen to political speeches and nothing else. This shows the people still have their hopes on MCA and just want to confirm certain things.
> A main grievance among the Chinese is that some government policies discriminate against the community and they feel left out. What are your views?
I fully agree with such a perception and this is rather unfortunate. All government policies are fair, but the problem lies in its implementation and poor monitoring. There is also a communication gap between them and the frontline officers who are dominated by one ethnic group. This can aggravate the situation further. A multi-ethnic frontline staff can reduce communication problems and suspicion.
There are also some policies that have been regarded as unfair from the start, like quota, scholarship and licences. But things have improved a lot under Datuk Seri Najib’s leadership. For instance, all SPM students who scored 9A+ will be given a JPA (Public Services Department) scholarship.
> Why is a big mandate necessary for the Prime Minister?
After the last general election, too much time has been spent on politics. This is an unnecessary distraction. Najib has demonstrated that he is quite open, willing to even, I would say, forgo his power (like giving up the security laws) for the sake of a more participatory democracy.
The rakyat must have confidence that this is a man who reaches out to all communities. This is a man whom all his friends have described as too kind-hearted. So, the rakyat must give him a chance.
The engine of transformation has just started, and if you change the government – or if the government of the day is not strong – you will derail the transformation programme of the country.
The (transformation) programme is important. It is neither a Barisan nor Najib agenda. It is through this programme that Malaysians can get out of the middle-income trap to become a high-income nation. This is something that Pakatan Rakyat has never been able to tell us how they can do it.
> Why do you think Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is ranked highly by the community, but when it comes to party level, they have misgivings about Umno and BN?
It is Najib’s ability to project himself above party politics; his long political career seems to show this. He is wise, lucky and has packaged himself well.
> Given the softening global economy, how does Malaysia get to stay afloat?
Continued political stability is important. Squabbling among politicians does not send a good message to foreign investors. I am very confident that despite the external factors, strong economic headwind against Malaysia, the massive development in Malaysia will be able to sustain 4.5% economic growth which is very good. The Financial Times has
described it as gravity-defying growth. All in, I am still very positive that we will be able to register respectable economic growth and produce jobs.
> Some sections of the Chinese community still believe there is a probability that Pakatan will win in the elections and that this is the chance for them to throw their weight behind the Opposition coalition. What is your assessment?
DAP is always out to find fault with whatever the government is doing. They belittle what MCA has done to create the perception that if the Chinese group together to support DAP, they can be the kingmaker and that MCA is considered their stumbling block. This is hate politics along racial lines – something dangerous and done at the expense of the country’s stability. Whatever differences we may have, we must not sacrifice racial and religious harmony in the country.
What is your message to the Chinese voters then?
No government is perfect, more so in a multiracial country where we need to strike a balance. The country does not belong to any one race. It belongs to everybody. If you are angry with the perceived discrimination and injustice, you do not destroy the government unless you are very sure you can vote in a better government. Look at the four Pakatanruled states. The Chinese can see that their perception that the Pakatan is fairer to the community is wrong.
> How do you rate MCA’s chances of retaining the 31 state seats and 15 parliamentary seats it won in the last elections?
Quite confident when I took over the party helm two-and-a-half years ago. Now I am even more confident. I am very focused and not distracted by the Opposition. I am only attracted to what the rakyat tell me.