MCA president Wee Ka Siong has defended his party’s criticism against Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying after a series of apparent “friendly fire” incidents.
Even though MCA is now part of the government alongside DAP, Wee said the party can still act as a check-and-balance against the government executive.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, Wee said those in power should accept criticism graciously rather than kick up a fuss, and work towards avoiding mistakes and correcting those that have already been made.
“You say our bodies are with the unity government but our hearts are with Perikatan Nasional (PN). What kind of statement is that?
“Opinions are non-partisan. There is no such thing as we cannot criticise (the government) just because we are part of the government. If so, how can we play the role of check-and-balance within the government?
“There are dissenting voices even within the same political party. MCA members can even criticise MCA leaders, including the president. For me, facing criticism is an opportunity to correct mistakes and work harder.
“You can’t use ‘overtime’ as an excuse to defend yourself […]. Since when is it compulsory for Parliament to stop (its question-and-answer session) at 11.30am? Even in a 90-minute football match, sometimes it ends at 92 minutes. So, does a goal scored in the 91-minute mark not count?” he said.
‘What kind of attitude is that?’
Wee was responding to DAP’s Raub MP Chow Yu Hui, who said MCA should not act like PN allies by engaging in friendly fire with the government.
This came after MCA leaders criticised Lim for failing to adequately prepare for a question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat. However, the question came up just after the session should have ended.
Meanwhile, Wee pointed out that parliamentary questions were sent in before the session convened on Feb 13, which by now has been ongoing for nearly two months.
According to convention, various departments should have already prepared answers, and ministers and deputy ministers would usually review these answers on the day before they face questions from lawmakers in Parliament.
Therefore, Wee said, Lim’s situation is akin to “going to school without bringing homework”, and said it didn't make sense.
“If I forget my schoolbag when I go to school and the teacher scolds me, do I blame the teacher for this?
“If your answer is not good enough, incomplete, or if it isn’t satisfactory, that’s another matter. But to say that you didn’t even bring the answers, what kind of attitude is that? To come to school and fail to turn in your homework?”
Questioning MCA’s loyalty ‘absurd’
As for questions about MCA’s loyalties, Wee asked whether deputy speaker Ramli Mohd Nor should face the same scrutiny after the latter reprimanded Lim for her lack of preparedness.
“I think this statement is absurd. If so, do you want to attack the deputy speaker who was also nominated by the unity government too?
“Do you want to say that the deputy speaker should not reprimand the deputy minister and should be removed from office? This is not right. He is performing his duties, and if you say this is an issue of overtime, you are questioning the speaker. Article 99 of the Standing Orders clearly states that the speaker’s ruling is final,” he said.
He added that the issue is “no big deal” and should be taken as a learning experience to be more prepared.
Meanwhile, MCA Youth secretary Daniel Wa Wai How also responded to the Raub MP by saying that people who are too sensitive to criticism should not participate in politics.
Wa was among those who criticised Lim’s conduct yesterday, alongside MCA deputy president and former deputy education minister Mah Hang Soon.
“Politicians are subject to close scrutiny from the public. Lim has apologised for her mistake, while Chow is still taking advantage on this issue. I want to ask who is the one trying to be allies with PN?
“This kind of statement is even less professional than the deputy minister and will cause her further embarrassment,” he said. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.