MCA and Gerakan leaders said they have “always spoken out” against corruption and abuse of power.
MCA President Liow Tiong Lai said both Chinese-based parties had always been vocal about mismanagement of the economy and rising living costs.
“We always speak out against these things. We have to understand the core value of Barisan Nasional, these values are important, and in the leadership we take the initiative and we do more than necessary,” Liow said at a press conference at MCA headquarters today.
He was speaking with Gerakan President Mah Siew Keong after the parties’ Stronger Together joint rally to affirm their unity to help BN win back Chinese support which swung to the opposition in the last two general elections.
“In the last two months we have had more than five meetings (to discuss the Chinese community’s concerns) and we will reveal the details soon,” Mah said.
Political analysts have said both Chinese-based parties have been unable to address the core concerns of Chinese voters which included good governance and rising living costs.
Both parties have traditionally delivered the Chinese-Malaysian vote to BN but suffered their worst electoral outing in 2013 when BN lost the popular vote for the first time.
MCA won only seven out of 37 parliamentary seats and 11 out of 90 state seats it contested while Gerakan won just one federal seat and three state seats.
In 2008, Gerakan lost Penang to DAP, which retained the state in 2013. Gerakan had controlled Penang between 1969 and 2008.
Liow said there will be a nationwide National Vision roadshow by MCA and Gerakan to reveal their plan for TN50.
“We have to understand the core value of Barisan Nasional … these values are important.
“The roadshow is important. Our vision is to carry out TN50 and to bring it to the Malaysians to understand what we are transforming. we want to explain to the people we need their participation as it is important,” he said.
Liow added MCA and Gerakan have a clear agenda in the “Priority Action Plan” for the Chinese community that will be carried out this year.
“I have also told all MCA candidates to work together with Gerakan candidates.”
Mah, commenting on whether the party will announce its candidate for the Penang seat, said they have not “discussed (the issue) with the candidates”.
“We only identified the candidates (to contest in the GE). Next Sunday, Prime Minister Najib Razak will visit Gerakan and the list will be shown to him,” he said.
Mah added it is his hope to have one multiracial party, but Malaysia is not ready for it.
“Mahathir can form a Peribumi party, so you can see Malaysia is still not ready,” he said.
Najib had urged the Chinese community to not “waste their time with the opposition” and urged them to take up more leadership positions in the government.
“You are practical people, you know what is good for you. This is a multiracial country and must be based on a multiracial government,” said Najib.
“We don’t need to waste time with the opposition, do not waste your time with the opposition.” – January 6, 2018. – January 6, 2018.
Comments
Posted 8 years ago by Syed Putra · Reply
Posted 8 years ago by Syed Putra · Reply
Posted 8 years ago by Mohanarajan murugeson · Reply
Posted 8 years ago by Anak Malaysia · Reply
Liow also said we must appreciate the values of BN. Malaysians only see one value being demonstrated. Kowtowing to UMNO, despite of corruption and abuse of power.
Posted 8 years ago by Quigon Bond · Reply