Najib wrong about ‘Chinese tsunami’

Former MACC advisor Robert Phang disagrees with Najib Tun Razak's assessment that BN fared poorly because of a 'Chinese tsunami'.

PETALING JAYA: While acknowledging that Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak had done his best in the election, former MACC advisory council member Robert Phang disagreed with the former’s assessment that the election results were due to the “Chinese tsunami”.

“I feel that the prime minister had done his best, by managing to capture back Kedah and maintaining the other states. Also, had it not been for the serious campaigning done by him, the results could have been much worse for Barisan Nasional.

“However, I disagree when he said that the election results were due to the Chinese tsunami. When you look at the election results, 51% of the popularity votes went to Pakatan Rakyat and 48% was achieved by BN.

“So if it is 51% for Pakatan and the Chinese population is only 24%, the balance of 27% of votes must have been from the Malays and Indians,” said Phang.

Najib blamed the poor showing by BN on the Chinese tsunami, saying that the Chinese community had voted overwhelmingly for the opposition.

Phang said that a serious post-mortem needs to be done by the prime minister, and the BN must honestly look into what had gone wrong.

“To start with what had actually gone wrong with the Chinese voters, the prime minister must know, that for the Chinese voters, there are only a few major issues that concern them, and they are corruption, crime, and the education system.

“To the Chinese, education is important. Until today, there has not been any conclusive solution undertaken by the government.

“The Chinese consider this as an abject failure by MCA as they have failed to address this serious problem,” said Phang.

He added that most of the Chinese are worried about the future of their children’s education.

“Not everyone can afford for an overseas education, so whatever education plan within Malaysia has to be meaningful and acceptable to all communities,” he said.

‘Chua was never accepted by the Chinese’

The Social Care Foundation Malaysia chairman also lauded Najib’s call for national reconciliation.

“This is a good move. But can the prime minister and BN seriously be pragmatic to introduce the correct programme and plan, based on fairness and respect for other races?” he asked.

Phang also commented on the current quandary faced by MCA.

“The dilemma that MCA is facing is because Dr Chua Soi Lek [MCA president] has never been the correct person to lead MCA,” said Phang. “He has never been accepted by the Chinese.”

“His decision to offer three MCA constituencies to Umno and dropping Ong Tee Keat [former MCA president] from contesting in Pandan have angered a lot of the Chinese,” he said.

Phang also claimed that there have been outcries demanding Chua to step down, saying: “Majority of the Chinese people and MCA members regard him as poison,” he said.

On Chua’s stand that the party would not take any government posts if it failed to deliver in the election, Phang said that most MCA members do not agree with Chua.

“It is related to the wrong instructions given by Chua,” said Phang. “MCA is a well-established institution. I’m sure many won’t like to see MCA to go down the drain as a useless institution.

“People come and go, politicians likewise. However, MCA should always be there so that there will still be a vehicle for the Chinese to go to in addressing forthcoming challenges.

“It is imperative for senior and retired MCA leaders to come forward together with the young MCA leaders to look into the best methodologies to revamp MCA,” said Phang.

He also said that since Chua has stated that he will not seek re-election, he should step down as soon as possible.

“He should pass the baton to whoever the next leader is as soon as possible. Do not delay further because time is of essence, a lot of planning needs to be done,” added Phang.

On rumours that the prime minister will appoint non-politicians as Chinese representatives into the Cabinet, Phang conceded that it is a good move.

“I welcome it. However, I merely want to suggest to the prime minister to only consider those who are capable, clean and ever-willing to work and serve the rakyat.

“In this regard, the rakyat is expecting for the government to act without fear or favour and to take drastic action against all corrupt officials whether from the BN or Pakatan.

“Circumstances have changed and as we are moving forward to 2020, we must be able to adapt to all changes. It’s good that BN leaders understand this,” said Phang.