Face to Face: Lee Hwa Beng tells Zakiah Koya why MCA is no longer a political force in BN (with VIDEO)

by Zakiah Koya

PETALING JAYA (Oct 21): When one is in politics, one has to sacrifice for the benefit of the community. 

 

That sums up the Chinese mentality, particularly that of the MCA, which has led the party to being one that is dominated by Umno, according to recently-sacked party member Datuk Lee Hwa Beng.

 

"In economy, when the Chinese work, they get their reward – they work for themselves. But joining politics is to help the community. We have to sacrifice, work very hard, so that the community can benefit," Lee told fz.com during the Face to Face programme recently.

 

And yet, the leaders have become selfish and are only interested in MCA's assets, he said when asked why MCA allows Umno to dominate in Barisan Nasional. 

 

Lee, a former MCA central committee member, former three-term MP for Subang Jaya and also the ex-chairman of Port Klang Authority chairman, was recently sacked from the party for having invited DAP leader Lim Kit Siang to his book launch although Lee claimed it was because of his campaign to topple MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek 

 

"The equation is wrong is BN. However, in MCA, we have poor leadership, for example Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat came in through a power struggle. 

 

"We can't really blame Umno for not consulting us or referring to us. At the same time, Umno must realise that in the last GE, Umno lost its popular vote. At least 90% of Chinese voted for the opposition. And 26% of all voters are Chinese. So, maybe they got 55% or 60% of Malay votes but these votes cannot go up (further). 

 

"For Umno or BN  to survive the next GE, they must get more Chinese votes. They must at least get 30%-40% of the Chinese votes. Without this, BN will not survive," said Lee.

 

Lee said that despite MCA being the representative of the Chinese community in BN, it has no political clout. "MCA is not there to garner votes for BN. We only have one person in the government in Johor (an exco), what are we in BN?" 

 

"We are no more a political force in BN. I think if not for the assets we have, MCA would totally be irrelevant (to the leaders). If we did not have the assets, those joining would have been more genuine. Right now, we do not know if those staying on are doing so because of the struggle (for a better MCA)".