Two Wees: MCA not taking Chinese swing for granted

PARLIAMENT | While clearly buoyed by MCA's thumping win in the Tanjung Piai by-election, its two MPs Wee Ka Siong (above, left) and Wee Jeck Seng (above, right) were determined not to be carried away and take Chinese votes for granted.

"We are pleased to see that (the return of Chinese support) according to the analysis by DAP, we got 60 percent of the Chinese vote. However we will not take it for granted," said party president Ka Siong, who is also Ayer Hitam MP.

Jeck Seng added that MCA would not take the support for granted.

"We cannot take for granted that they are angry with the government. We have to analyse (the victory) and we hope we can maintain this momentum and identify the root cause of it,"

"There are many factors that contributed to this victory, so we have to analyse it and conduct a post-mortem and just follow and improve (upon it)," he said at a joint press conference conducted by the two MPs at parliament today.

It was Jeck Seng's first day back in Parliament, and the newly-elected Tanjung Piai MP, who had served two terms between 2008 to 2018, found himself playing second fiddle to Ka Siong who intercepted a few questions and answered them on his behalf.

'The people are the kingmakers'

Asked whether the win was a protest vote against Pakatan Harapan and not a show of support for MCA, Ka Siong answered:

"Actually, the rakyat (people) are the kingmakers. They can decide whether (or not you win). If they like you, they will vote for you. If they (think you are) lousy, they can punish you."

Ka Siong said that this was the democratic process, under which the people'e representatives are subject to this sort of assessment.

"In this by-election they cast their votes to BN so that we have to perform our duty as an effective opposition in Parliament.

"I must also remind Harapan to please fulfil the promises that they made 18 months ago," he added.

Ka Siong said that everywhere he went, people were disappointed with the new administration because after making promises to win GE14, they are now trying to find excuses not to keep those promises.

Asked if the crushing defeat was a damning indictment of the premiership of Dr Mahathir Mohamad (above), Ka Siong said it was up to the Harapan leadership to interpret that.

"If you assume Harapan is a collective leadership or a dictatorship, I don't know. I think the signal is to the government to please do something.

"Whether they want to take it to the prime minister himself - some will conveniently push the (blame) to him, some will say it's collective - don't tell me after the defeat, you don't want to do anything (different).

"This is not the end of Harapan. We have another three and a half years to continue our terms. Fulfill your promises as you have pledged," he said.

Asked whether Jeck Seng's victory was due to a resurgence of Barisan Nasional (BN) or because of the tie-up with PAS in the Muafakat Nasional alliance, Ka Siong emphasised that the BN victory at Tanjung Piai was due to the support of all races.

"This is the consensus of all citizens. It is impossible to win with support from just one race. No matter whether its Malay, Indian of Chinese. Solidarity means solidarity, we are on a similar path.

"The important thing is to keep the people happy, whether it's BN or a national coalition or the solidarity of the opposition," he answered.

MCA doubles its strength

Asked how he felt upon his return to Parliament, Jeck Seng replied:

"I must do my duty and I must help (address) my constituency problems. This is my responsibility," he said.

"As a third time MP, he's used to it," interjected Ka Siong.

"He has a duty to perform in parliament and serve the people. People support Wee Jeck Seng because he serves the constituents regularly, that is the strength of Wee Jeck Seng," he said.

Jeck Seng was asked if he was ready to declare his assets, which is now a requirment, but the question was eagerly fielded by Ka Siong.

"Dont worry, he just reported to parliament today and he hasn't received anything from parliament. His priority is to serve and bring up the issues of his constituents. Don't worry about other things (now), said Ka Siong.

In a later PC in Mandarin, when a journalist again asked Jeck Seng if he is going to declare his assets, he answered: 

"Declare la, what's the problem?"

At its peak in 2004, the MCA won 31 seats in Parliament, but Ka Siong has just endured 18 months as its lone representative. Now he's glad not to be alone.

"I'm no longer lonely," he quipped.

"But I hope after MCA has gained two seats - that this is just the beginning. For us, this is encouragement and motivation, and we have to work hard," said Ka Siong. - Mkini