Childishness shows in MCA-DAP polls spat

 Remember our childhood days in school when we used to be involved in petty quarrels with our classmates?

We would be at each other’s throats using gung-ho words like “I don’t like you. You insult me. I don’t want to friend you anymore”.

And this is what we heard from MCA president Wee Ka Siong yesterday: “Why should MCA help DAP in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election? DAP has been insulting us.”

Sounds like a schoolboys’ quarrel to me. Why should we be surprised at all when politicians, even the very senior ones, are acting so childishly when they lambast each other in public?

Taking the matter to TikTok, Wee (above) said that given DAP’s long record of insulting his party, he doubted MCA should assist DAP in the Kuala Kubu Baharu polls.

“When (they) criticise MCA, they do it as they please with much hatred.

“Now, MCA has to be the bigger person?” he lamented.

‘I don’t like MCA’

In the video, Wee also shared a short clip of DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke saying he doesn’t like MCA and called the party a “towkay party” that’s only for the rich and people with positions.

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke during a ‘Keluar Sekejap’ podcast

I can recall when Loke made that “I don’t like MCA” statement. It was during the “Keluar Sekejap” podcast hosted by former minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

I think the DAP leader had acted very childishly too by making such an unnecessary and offensive statement against an ally in the government, even if MCA is just a junior, almost irrelevant, partner now.

It is all about ego and respect, Loke! Seriously, what is there to gain for DAP with the “I don’t like MCA” statement at this juncture? Loke should have restrained himself, especially now that he is the supreme leader of DAP.

I wish to remind the DAP secretary-general why he had to fly to Kuching just to issue an unequivocal apology to the GPS government of Sarawak soon after GE15 in November 2022, for the hurtful remarks against the territory made by a certain DAP leader in the past.

Loke should be grateful that GPS leaders like Premier Abang Johari Openg had accorded Loke and DAP some degree of respect and trust in the sincerity of his apology.

GPS chairman Abang Johari Openg

This eventually paved the way for the establishment of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s coalition government with DAP and GPS as key partners.

I hope that Loke will be more careful with his choice of words when talking about coalition partners henceforth. It’s okay to pause three seconds before every line that comes out of your mouth. Use the three seconds to think of a better word or line that is not likely to offend anyone.

MCA and GPS (former allies in BN) were longtime sworn adversaries of DAP too. When DAP could bend over to be upfront and friendly with GPS, it should also do the same with MCA, MIC, and other components in the ruling coalition.

Childish confrontations must go

I think politicians have to stop their childish confrontation against each other because that does not achieve anything positive for anyone. On the contrary, it will result in the loss of respect for such men and women in public office.

It can be frustrating when politicians act in a childish manner as it detracts from the seriousness and responsibility of their roles. It will surely lead to ineffective governance, lack of progress on important issues, and erosion of public trust.

Yes, it is certainly essential for leaders to demonstrate maturity, integrity, and a focus on addressing the needs of their constituents rather than engaging in petty or immature behaviour.

As for the Madani government, an understanding is already in place that the current partners in the coalition will stay together for the five-year term. After that, it is to each his own and all are free to seek different political alignments as they deem fit.

‘Less talk, more work’

I wish to see some semblance of peace and unity within the government and for this to happen, there should be less talk and more work and this should be the motivation moving forward.

Focusing on action over words can definitely lead to more productivity and tangible results. When actions speak louder than words, it often means getting things done efficiently without unnecessary chatter or delay.

DAP and MCA should not be bothered so much with the KKB by-election. It will come and go and a single seat will not make much difference to the stability of the Selangor government.

If it is MCA’s resolve to stay out and not get involved in the by-election, just do so and do not create a fuss over it.

Kuala Kubu Baharu town

And if the party wishes to contest, just go ahead. I would probably let MCA join the fray if I were the party president. What is there to lose, even if there is nothing to gain (as victory is a long shot)?

As for DAP, don’t beg for help from a party that you don’t like. Maintain a little self-respect. In any case, I doubt MCA would be able to help much as it is now considered a spent force.

For now, both sides should behave themselves and stop being pathetically childish over a by-election. - Mkini

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FRANCIS PAUL SIAH is a veteran Sarawak editor and heads the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS). He can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.