Be sensitive to others, DPM tells MCA
By TheStar
KUALA LUMPUR: MCA should be sensitive to the needs of other races in the country when it fights for the Chinese community, said Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
The Deputy Prime Minister said MCA and other Barisan Nasional component parties should take that into consideration so as not to cause any misunderstanding.
“In Barisan, we always take a similar stand on issues affecting all races.
“If it (MCA) wants to fight for the Chinese community, it must not touch on the interest of others, including the Malays,” he said after launching the Federal Territory Skim Prihatin 1Malaysia here yesterday.
Muhyiddin was commenting on MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek’s statement that the party would continue to fight for the Chinese community, even if its views were shared by the Opposition.
Muhyiddin said whether the MCA wanted to take a similar stand with the DAP was another matter but noted that its views must not lead to any misunderstanding.
“Whatever they wish to fight for, they have to consider Barisan’s interest.
“I don’t think MCA will sacrifice the importance of the (Barisan) co-operation,” he added.
On the resolution by the Chinese Economic Congress for the 30% Bumiputra equity quota to be abolished gradually, Muhyiddin said the Malays’ share of the economy was still low.
He reminded the MCA that the unfair distribution of wealth had resulted in the 1969 racial riots.
“This has to be looked at in a larger context … without a fair distribution, we saw what happened in 1969 and I hope it (unfair distribution) won’t happen again.
“I am sure Datuk (Dr) Chua knows the Malays are not successful yet and if he wants the country to progress, there must be a fair economic distribution,” he said.
On MCA’s stand to push for the implementation of the resolutions passed at last weekend’s Chinese Economic Congress, Muhyiddin said the Government had the final say on the issues, including those related to special privileges of the bumiputra.
“The MCA must understand the question of special privileges and wealth distribution. If it touches on government policy, it is the Government’s duty to uphold the policy,” he said.
