Chang hits back: Listen to Michael Jackson, Chua

In an escalating war of words between Gerakan and MCA over Chua Soi Lek's unflattering warning of his party "turning into a Gerakan", the latter has been told off to "listen to Michael Jackson".

Gerakan acting president Chang Ko Youn in returning this morning's volley from Chua said that the latter should not only look in the mirror, but also listen to the late King of Pop's song 'Man in the Mirror'.

Chang advised Chua to study the meaning of the lyrics properly but did not mention specifically what he meant.

The popular 80s hit song is about the singer reflecting on himself and contemplating changing his ways.

“I hope Chua will remember this, don’t lose the Chinese community in order to win in MCA,” he told Malaysiakini by phone today.

Chang also warned Chua not to initiate a war of words in order to boost the latter's own popularity.

He was responding to a Sinchew Daily report today in which Chua while apologising for the remark, in the same breath insisted that it was a valid observation.

"I can't compare MCA to MIC or Umno, therefore I used a Chinese based party that tries to be packaged as a multiracial party to compare.

"I admit this is an unfortunate but correct comparison," Chua was reported saying in Sin Chew Daily. 

Chua also gleefully took on Chang's mirror analogy saying the latter should also do the same.

The verbal match began last week when Chua warned party members not to let his deputy Liow Tiong Lai become the president, as the latter would lead the party to become "another Gerakan".

The embattled party chief however did not elaborate on what he meant.

The slight irked Gerakan members who returned the insult telling Chua to "look in the mirror", even bringing a looking glass to the press conference.

'Problem with Chua, not MCA'

Asked if he would bring the public tiff to the BN supreme council, Chang said it was unnecessary as this was not a feud between the two parties but one between Chua personally and Gerakan.

“I hope MCA central delegates don’t misunderstand and take this as a political parties’ spat generally,” he said.

On Chua’s remark that Chang should resign from his party position after losing the last general election instead of vying for Gerakan presidency at the party polls this month end, Chang said it was not a matter for Chua to decide.

“I haven’t made up my mind about the party polls,” said Chang.

Chang was defeated twice when he contested for the Beruas parliamentary seat in Perak in the last two general elections.

"Should we follow his (Chua's logic), does that mean all MCA's defeated candidates should not contest the party central committee posts?"

He added that former Gerakan president Koh Tsu Koon resigned immediately after the election as this should be taken as an act of taking responsibility.