Betty Chew issue: MCA's insensitivity its own downfall

While trying to please voters by distributing a variety of assistance, political parties should never neglect the details, particularly the people's feelings.

Well-known columnist Karim Raslan wrote in a Sin Chew Daily column that MIC grassroots leaders were "extremely upbeat about Barisan’s chances of winning back Indian voters". However, "things quickly changed after the actual demonstration as the co-chair Datuk S. Ambiga was targeted personally by various NGOs."

If Karim's view is correct, I think that the resentment of Indian voters is triggered not only because Ambiga is an Indian leader, but also because they cannot tolerate the insults against her, including the beef burger stand, the butt exercises and the "Hang Ambiga" calls.

People sympathise with the weak, particularly women suffering harm. Excessive disrespectful acts and slanderous words will arouse people's anger.

If the BN neglects this detail, particularly when people are increasingly disappointed with human nature, I am afraid that the BN might have to pay the price.

Women's votes

Similarly, the recent behaviour of the MCA might lead to the lose of women's votes.

Leaving MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek's sex video clip scandal aside, His remarks made in last July asking Kota Laksamana assembly member and Lim Guan Eng's wife Betty Chew to return to Penang to "serve" her husband was condemned by Malacca Wanita MCA chief Kian Sit Har for inappropriate use of words. This year, Kian attended the Bersih 3.0 rally and Chua criticised her for not contributing to the party, asking her to resign.

The frivolous words and deeds of MCA leaders reflected a lack of respect for women and the existence of male chauvinism. It is an internal affair whether Kian had violated the party's disciplines, but the whole incident formed an impression that the MCA looks down to women.

This time, Malacca MCA chief Datuk Gan Tian Loo made use of the Malacca State Assembly privilege and immunity to bring up the matter and hurt Chew at the sitting. Once again, it proved that the MCA lacks sensitivity.

I asked a few female colleagues and they sympathised with Chew. They think that the MCA has insulted women and if the husband has really done wrong, the wife should not be the one to bear the insults. Moreover, the rumours spread online have not been proven true.

Stop the gutter politicking

Perhaps, the most important thing for politicians in the current political situation is to defeat their opponents and that is why, they are desperate like a bloodthirsty great shark that frantically attacks once it smells blood.

However, losing the bottom line in politics will turn it unscrupulous and dirty.

The MCA has indeed assisted many single mothers and Chua was dare to take responsibility after the exposure of his sex video clip. However, these should not be used as an excuse for not respecting women.

I believe that there are many rational voters in the society. They sympathise with and support women being hurt and insulted, regardless of which party they are from.

Politics has made many people fall into hysteria and human nature is distorted. If everyone turns frantic and knows only to attack, then hatred will gnawed their hearts. They will never be happy again.

It is now the time to let go hatred and personal gains and losses. Only mutual respect and love can make the country a better place.

-Sin Chew Daily