Penang NGOs don't need support of 'irrelevant' MCA, says DAP member

The MCA has been blasted for “desperately trying to seek recognition” while defending Penang NGOs who criticised the state government over a recent deadly landslide in Tanjung Bungah.

Seberang Perai municipal councillor Satees Muniandy hit out at MCA spokesperson Ti Lian Ker for allegedly trying to intervene on behalf of the NGOs.

“The MCA is hardly in a position to intervene on behalf of the NGOs,” said Satees, who is also DAP Batu Kawan secretary.

“I think they can look after themselves without the support of a party that is considered politically irrelevant,” Satees told Malaysiakini.

He claimed that MCA had been sidelined by Umno for years after being rejected by the Chinese community for “selling out” their interests.

Yesterday, Ti had defended local NGOs including Penang Forum by saying that Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy was arrogant for lambasting the activists.

This was in reference to the activists' criticism against the state government over the landslide, which occurred on Oct 21 and resulted in 11 deaths. 

Previously, state government leaders had described the NGOs as “arrogant” for allegedly wanting to vote Pakatan Harapan out in the coming polls due to their hillside development policy.

In rejecting a proposal to attend a dialogue with the Penang Forum, Ramasamy had said that while NGOs are free to criticise the state government, they must act on the basis of evidence or facts.

He said while the NGOs can point out the flaws in the state’s environmental policies, they have no business asking for the state government to be removed.

“Ramasamy did not start the debate. He merely advised the NGOs to adopt a more constructive role,” Satees said.

“There was no need to criticise for the sake of criticising,” he added.- Mkini