Do you know how to write the "shame' word?

May Chee Chook Ying

Read that CSL took a swipe at OTK by saying that he, the latter, can’t lead and that was why he
was toppled in a year. On the contrary, he, OTK, was toppled because he exposed corruption and that to
me, is the sorriest thing MCA has done to itself!

Not too long ago when CSL was vilified left and right for his “indiscretion” I remember telling my
husband that everyone should just forgive him (after all, he admitted his transgression) and let him be. I
wasn’t condoning his act but I believe in second chances and more than that, felt sorry for his wife and
family for the pain they must be going through. I remember, then, I wasn’t too happy that OTK did not
seem to be able to forgive him. On hindsight, OTK maybe, knew a lot, lot more.

I have always admired OTK since his days as a youth leader. He was a rare breed. He dared to
say what had to be said. So, when this whole PKFZ fiasco came about, I was not too surprised. He always
had the guts to do the right thing. And here we have, coming from another MCA chief, proudly declaring
that if a leader has the guts and gumption to take on corruption, they, the MCA, could bring him down
within a year! My dear CSL, “Ni, hwei pu hwei, seh na ke cho zhi?” Do you know how to write
the “shame” word?

Here is a man who could have brought back dignity to their ranks but they brought him down!
What went into their heads? What was going through their minds? Mind you, I don’t think every MCA
guy is useless. I hear there’s a good “Datuk” in Seremban and another kind “doctor” in Ipoh. I wish I
could say the list goes on but….

Some time back, I remember telling my kids that Malaysian politics, has to at some point move
away from being race-based. In my humble opinion, the point is now or never. So, MCA, let me tell you
this - you are not representing me, a Chinese because I refuse to remain a racist. If I need any help I will
go to those who can best handle my problem, not because I’m Chinese, so only a Chinese political party
can best watch out for me. For that, kudos to the DAP for realizing that race-based politics is so out of
touch, today.

OTK is the only visible MCA leader today who dares to call a spade, a spade. And you MCA
people can’t appreciate nor treasure that? Just recently one of your leaders lied through his teeth about
the Tung Shin teargas incident (I should know, I was there!) and now with the 1 Care controversy that’s
going to rob us blind, he’s still around? CSL, prove your mettle now, bring him down within a year!

Please, MCA, look at what you have reduced yourself to? You, the present crop of leaders want
to compare yourself to others. Only two of you are facing trial for the PKFZ debacle, on charges of
corruption. How many from the other side have been incarcerated for upholding the truth? How many
of them had their health compromised, dignity stripped and years taken away because of the injustice
inflicted, something you were party to, for just keeping quiet. Unlike the rest of you, OTK exposed
corruption and how did you reward him? What does it say about the MCA when a leader is brought
down by his very own people for upholding the truth?

Why are you still in the MCA, OTK? I’m hoping you don’t reduce yourself to being – “Since I can’t
beat them, I’ll just join them!” Don’t you dare! Don’t you dare make my father turn in his grave! My dad
started his voting years, voting for the MCA while my mum was a DAP diehard. Sadly, he ended his
years, voting for the DAP. I remembered how, during each election season, they would be debating, too.
The debates became lesser with the years and eventually, came to a halt. My dad died, disillusioned
with the MCA. My mum, died, still a DAP diehard.

Do you know how we used to distinguish between the MCA and non-MCA politicians? Easy,
peasy. The MCA politicians always look fat and clumsy while the other, lean and sprightly. My two-sen
worth - don’t vote for politicians who can’t fit into the normal chair or the ones who carry potbellies.
Unsightly! Corruption does have a look, you know.

Anyway, RPK is right, it’s not about the party. It’s about the candidate who would work for the interests of his or her constituents. It’s about being ccountable to his or her electorate. It’s about service; it’s about him or her being your servant, not your master. It’s about him or her running around making things right, not sitting on his fat ass, getting fatter!

It’s about him or her, dishing out money, making a difference to other people’s life, not stashing away
money in some secret accounts. It’s about him or her, upholding the truth, not pull wool over our eyes
with some cock and bull rationale. Since when are we, Malaysians, that stupid, that unscrupulous,
that undignified? Hey, most of us do know how to write the “shame’ word, right?