Soi Lek a "confused politician": Chinese successful despite BN not because of BN, slams PKR

PKR leaders tore to shreds claims by MCA president Chua Soi Lek that Malaysian Chinese owed their prosperity and good living to the Barisan Nasional.

On the contrary, they said it was sheer back-breaking hard work and a never-say-die attitude that enabled the community to rise above the obstacles thrown at them by the Umno-led BN, making the Chinese a success story in Malaysia today.

"Soi Lek is one confused politician. It seems he has never heard of the complaints about the lack of educational opportunities, the annual scramble for scholarships and grants. Also, the lack of equal job opportunities seem to have bypassed him completely. So too has the brain drain and the fact that half a million or so Malaysian Chinese have to seek work in Singapore," Batu MP Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.

Don't change the status quo, keep voting MCA!

In his Chinese New Year address, Soi Lek had called on Chinese voters to maintain the politival status quo, amid widespread expectations that the MCA faced complete voter rejection in the coming 13th general election due to held by April 2013.

Soi Lek urged the community not to “experiment” as BN's leadership had allowed them to prosper.

"With the harsh realities of a more trying economy confronting us, this is the time that we must consolidate rather than experiment," said Soi Lek.

“It goes without saying that that Chinese businessmen had done well in Malaysia because the country is led by capable and tested leaders who have proven they could deliver."

To support his case, he cited Malaysia’s ranking as the world’s 10th most attractive foreign investment destination last year, up from 21st previously, as the result of “sheer hard work and having proper policies in place.”

“Demonstrations and public disorder will not bring economic glory or benefit to the people. On the contrary, it will send the wrong signals to foreign investors," said Soi Lek.

“The people, especially the Chinese should not attempt to do the balancing act to have [checks and balances in the] government. In their haste, they make end up with the wrong government of their choice."

Staying scared no longer an option

Not surprisingly, he was flayed for trying to scare-monger the Chinese, who are regarded as politically timid and reluctant to go against the establishment.

This has resulted in ultra-Malay groups such as Perkasa taking advantage of the perception and frequently using the threat of street protest and violence much like the May 13, 1969 riots to keep the Chinese in check.

"Soi Lek's comments show he is still trapped in the old time warp. Sure, the Chinese are peace-loving but if they were scared, they wouldn't have voted for DAP and PKR in the 2008 general election and again in the recent Sarawak state election," PKR vice president Chua Jui Meng told Malaysia Chronicle.

"Let's be frank, the only certainty is, if the Chinese stay scared, the country and they themselves will go bankrupt due to the BN's unstoppable corruption and massive siphoning of funds to overseas accounts."

Malaysia Chronicle