KUALA LUMPUR – MCA and Gerakan have rubbished DAP’s claim of a movement by the two to unite the Chinese in voting for candidates of the same race.
Leaders from the two pro-government parties said DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang’s accusation is merely political cosmetics to cover up and divert attention from DAP’s own failings of late and its diminishing image among Malaysians.
MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker accused Lim of playing the race card for political gain, describing it as a desperate attempt by the veteran politician to counter the narrative that DAP is Chinese-centric, and in a bid to warm up to Umno grassroots amid talks of cooperation.
Ti said the allegation that MCA and Gerakan are behind the “Chinese unite” movement makes no sense considering the two parties, despite being Perikatan Nasional-friendly, do not meet or talk to each other.
“We (MCA and Gerakan) are just a convenient diversion for DAP’s cosmetics. MCA acknowledges it is by history founded as a Chinese party, but we have always walked the talk and path of moderation, and fighting in the spirit of the Malaysian constitution,” he told The Vibes today.
“As for DAP, its narrative previously has always been about doing away with Bumiputera privileges, and demonising and accusing MCA as selling out Chinese rights. That’s how it captures support, through continuous indoctrination that Chinese are victims of the system and DAP will provide an equal playing field if in power.
“But now DAP is playing a different game. It desperately wants and is hard up for the Malay votes, to be multiracial. This is so it can survive, because the learned Chinese have awakened and are disappointed by its empty promises and lies.
“In addition, Lim is setting the stage to be accepted by Umno grassroots as they’re now on talking terms towards a gang-up or forming a joint government with Umno’s leadership.”
Ti said this is akin to DAP’s previous coming together with PAS post-2008 general election, despite a public separation prior.
Lim had, in a statement on Monday, said there is a “Chinese unite” movement questioning why non-Chinese are representing DAP as MPs and assemblymen when the constituencies should be contested by Chinese candidates.
He said the movement inspired by MCA and Gerakan – which hope to join forces with DAP members who agree with this approach – is in response to the “Malay unite” political call, while advocating Chinese voters to vote for good Chinese candidates.
Ti said Lim is playing victim by spinning facts in his favour, after more and more of the 90% of Chinese voters who backed DAP in the last general election are beginning to shy away from the party.
Gerakan president Datuk Dominic Lau Hoe Chai said the claim Gerakan is inspiring the movement is ridiculous as the party is formed as a non-racial political entity and does not solely represent the Chinese.
He similarly dismissed Lim’s claims, saying the accusations are unfounded and false, made to divert attention amid DAP’s internal turmoil over its “Chinese-ness” issue.
This is in relation to a speech made by DAP central committee member Ronnie Liu recently that the party should not belittle or degrade itself by diluting its Chinese-ness just to gain Malay support.
“I hope that Lim will not make any unfounded accusations just to divert and confuse the people. I must emphasise that Gerakan is not interested in the internal affairs of DAP, and we are only concerned with issues that involve public interest.”
Lau also said the fact that DAP had managed to win 90% of the Chinese vote showed that it is the party working on the “Chinese unite” movement. – The Vibes, April 21, 2021
