PACK UP & CLOSE SHOP, LIOW – THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU’RE DISHONEST TO YOUR OWN RACE! AS MCA SCREAMS ‘WE’LL NOT FORSAKE THE CHINESE’, THE CHINESE FLOCK TO NAZRI’S CNY OPEN HOUSE DESPITE BOYCOTT CALL

KUALA LUMPUR – MCA is an integral part of the Chinese community and the relationship is cemented, says Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

While he reaffirmed MCA’s commitment to the Barisan Nasional, the party president also made it loud and clear that it will not tolerate any parties within the coalition who sabotage it.

It was an obvious reference to Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, who last week said that MCA could not represent the Chinese after its performance in the last general election.

Nazri also declared that he is not a friend of MCA and that he works with DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, who is Penang Chief Minister, as the party had won more votes from the Chinese.

“MCA will not forsake the Chinese.

“If MCA does not represent the Chinese, who does?” Liow said to loud cheers from over 2,000 party members gathered at Wisma MCA here to celebrate the party’s 69th anniversary themed “Stron­ger Together”.

Nazri, who is Tourism and Culture Minister, triggered a firestorm of criticism following his impudent remarks against Robert Kuok in response to allegations by blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin that the Hong Kong-based Malaysian tycoon was funding various political parties to overthrow the Government.

Numerous well-known Malay­sian businessmen and MCA leaders came out in defence of Kuok, who denied the allegations.

The Prime Minister’s Office too issued a statement to acknowledge Kuok’s success story for the country and other entrepreneurs.

Liow also drew another big round of applause when he called on the party’s one million-plus members to ensure a big win for MCA in the coming general election “to bring back the dignity of the MCA and Chinese commu­nity”.

Noting that MCA – the second largest component party in Barisan – has had its highs and lows since its inception, Liow said the party, however, has never abandoned the Chinese community or stopped serving Malaysians.

In the 2013 general election, MCA won only seven parliamentary and 11 state seats.

“While MCA continues to serve the people, what has DAP done after the polls?” Liow asked during his speech.

Buoyed by inroads it has made among the voters in recent times, Liow said DAP now aims to exterminate MCA in the 14th General Election.

“DAP is consumed by hatred and wants to kill MCA by propagating hatred in the country for political mileage.

“DAP will not take care of the Chinese or serve Malaysians irrespective of whether it won or lost (in the polls),” Liow said, adding that this was obvious after the Opposition received huge support from the Chinese in the last two general elections.

The MCA president said the party, which was set up in 1949 to defend and protect the Chinese, had also worked together with Umno and MIC to fight for and gain independence for the country on Aug 31, 1957.

Calling DAP a party without principles, Liow pointed out that it could work with leaders it had once condemned, such as Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“The Chinese have to support MCA to protect our rights in Barisan and the Cabinet.

“When MCA is strong, the Chinese community will be strong and vice versa,” said Liow, who is also Transport Minister.

Yesterday, MCA Youth also unfurled banners to denounce Nazri.

Constituents flock to Nazri’s CNY open house despite MCA boycott

Umno supreme council member Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz’ Chinese New Year open house saw a strong turnout from the Chinese community, despite a boycott by MCA.

According to Nanyang Siang Pau, some 1,000 attended the open house in his constituency of Padang Renggas on Friday.

Local MCA leaders, who have declared a boycott against Nazri, were notably absent, said the report.

– M’kini