Ramasamy: Is Pahang UMNO chief’s praising of DAP an affirmation of DAP as MCA 2.0?

 

IS it a surprise that Pahang Menteri Besar and state UMNO chief Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail remarked that it was easier to work with the DAP rather than the MCA?

However, to the surprise of the MCA in general and to the Pahang chief Chong in particular, Wan Rosdy’s statement praising the DAP seems to send the wrong signal.

This has prompted MCA secretary-general and Pahang state chief Chong Sin Woon to seek further explanation from Wan Rosdy as the MCA – a component party of Barisan Nasional (BN) – had worked well with UMNO for years without any major problems.

Such a statement by Wan Rosdy appears to affirm the widely held belief that DAP has come to replace the MCA as the representative of the Chinese community albeit in a much more obsequious way than the latter.

Wan Rosdy’s remark reinforces the common belief that DAP has become MCA 2.0.

Unfortunately, such a label might not do justice to MCA as it has emerged as being much more critical of BN, especially UMNO, and the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led coalition government headed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Even if the MCA had to toe the UMNO line during the political heyday of the latter, this was understandable given the former’s reduced electoral support.

‘Very demeaning to get praised by UMNO

In terms of electoral strength, DAP is at its peak with 40 MPs, a large number of state assembly members and state executive council posts across the country. Furthermore, DAP has five ministers in the Madani government.

However, despite its electoral strength, DAP is, ironically, the weakest political party in the government.

Its five ministers function more as bureaucrats carrying out government functions rather than as thinkers and architects of government policies.

UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh might have problems with DAP but the top leadership in UMNO has no hesitation in working closely with the party.

That Wan Rosdy can praise DAP indicates that the party is completely beholden to the whims and fancies of UMNO.

The party that was once vociferous on matters concerning the rights of the Chinese community has lost its direction in creating a better Malaysia.

There is nothing more demeaning to DAP than being praised by UMNO leaders. It reveals clearly and unequivocally that the party has betrayed the rights of Malaysians, especially non-Malays.

The more DAP receives praise from UMNO, the faster the party will sink into the quagmire of political oblivion.

MCA should not be worried about UMNO praising the DAP for it shows that MCA is slowly but surely emerging out of the shadows of UMNO within BN.

Whether DAP is replacing the MCA in government needs no further explanation. 

Former DAP stalwart and Penang deputy chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia.