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Hard to change

By Ng Boon Hooi

November 21, 2008

Chua Soi Lek
Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek after winning the post of MCA deputy president

MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek was at his lowest ebb at the start of 2008 when his affair with a woman friend was videotaped and circulated, ostensibly to bring him down.

Despite the scandal of having his private life videotaped, Chua’s assertive leadership and his strong grassroots network ensured a resounding comeback in the MCA’s politics during the party’s October 2008 annual general assembly. Less than a year after he had to resign from all government and party posts, the medical doctor was voted by MCA delegates to be the party’s new deputy president.

However, the new line-up of MCA central committee members is widely perceived as an attempt by party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat to sideline Chua, who was formerly health minister.

Chua’s response thus far has been to assert that he has neither asked to be a cabinet minister nor a candidate in the general election. The MCA’s reform, he stressed, was more important than having a cabinet post.

In an interview with The Nut Graph at the MCA headquarters on 17 Nov 2008, Chua talks about the obstacles to reforms post-March general election.

TNG: Both the MCA and the Barisan Nasional (BN) have talked about reforms after the March 2008 general election.  But the controversies from the “squatters” remarks by a state Umno leader and the September 2008 detentions under the Internal Security Act (ISA) showed that reforms are rhetorical.

Chua: I agree that after March 2008, the BN and MCA are still the same and have hardly changed, to a certain degree.

Quote

So how are the MCA and BN going to push for reforms?

Our biggest problem is the two major component parties, Umno and the MCA. [Both were meant to have] their party elections this year (Umno’s elections have been postponed to March 2009).

Umno is also undergoing transition for the top leadership. This has an impact on the MCA and Umno’s reforms.

So I hope that after the MCA party elections, central committee leaders who have the delegates’ mandate can sit down and think seriously about how to close ranks, unite the party, and move forward in reforming the party.

But it seems that the war of words has become more frequent between you and party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat after the party polls?

People have different opinions in a party. You can agree to disagree, and find consensus from differences in opinion.

What is the first step for the MCA’s reform?

The first step should be the reduction of racist remarks [from politicians]. [The MCA] should focus on issue-oriented matters.

Second, apart from defending [Chinese Malaysian] interests, we should fight for the rights of all citizens on education, religion, using a multiethnic approach. We need to admit that this country is multiethnic in composition. We do not need to have confrontation, or be emotional about issues. We should be more accommodating and have tolerance for the different opinions of other ethnic groups.

The MCA has publicly protested against the ISA in the last few months. But lately, MCA parliamentarians refused to sign an opposition-initiated petition to discuss the ISA in parliament.

If the MCA wants to protest against the ISA, they do not need to protest via the opposition.  As a component party of the government with ministerial positions, the MCA has a direct channel to make known their stand [against the ISA].

When MCA parliamentarians do not take part in activities by the opposition, it does not mean that the MCA does not support or disagrees with the issues highlighted by the opposition. It is only that [we] use different ways to achieve the same objective.

Some Umno politicians feel that it is unfair to pass the blame to them for the BN’s dismal performance in the last general election. What do you think?

I agree with their opinion. And I never said that [Umno is responsible]. The party (MCA) has to take responsibility, especially when we are a Chinese-based political party. We always claim that we lead Chinese Malaysians, and we are the bridge between Chinese Malaysians and the government, right?  So, we need to understand Chinese Malaysians’ voices, their demands, and ideals. If the MCA and the government cannot play their roles effectively, it is natural that Chinese Malaysians feel upset with the MCA.

And we do not need to refute the fact that Umno is the backbone of the BN because Umno has the highest number of parliamentarians and state assemblypersons.

The Chinese Malaysian community are very unhappy with MCA leaders who have not stood up and spoken out.

The MCA was not able to sense the sentiment for change, and the anti-government mood of Chinese Malaysians (before the 8 March elections).

Was that because the MCA has been in power for far too long?

Yes. Any political party, which is in power for too long, would normally become complacent. Leaders would take for granted the people’s support. We are not the only ones who have faced this. It has happened in many democratic countries.

Chua Soi Lek
“If MCA and the government cannot play their roles effec-
tively, it is natural that Chinese Malaysians feel upset with
the MCA“
Do you think that the MCA is ready to face the challenge of change?

I think that we are not ready yet, especially when the party elections have just concluded.

What if a general election is called by next year, can the MCA gain back lost ground?

I don’t want to talk about a general election. It is too early to talk about it.

So you think that MCA is not ready yet to fulfil the demands of Chinese Malaysians?

Yes. But as long as we are serious and sincere in our reforms, and transform ourselves, we still have enough time [to regain the support].

Do you think that the sex scandal will block your re-appointment as a cabinet minister?

People who dislike me will always use this excuse. They will continue to use it. A renowned scholar once said morality is an attitude you adopt against people you don’t like. It is as simple as that. I never said that [the sex scandal] is not an obstruction, and those who dislike me will always use this to attack me.

For instance, if you have been jailed, even after you are freed people who dislike you will keep talking about it to attack you. But if they like you, they will say even if the person was a prisoner before, we should assist him to find the right path, and that society should accept the person. If you don’t like (Datuk Seri) Anwar (Ibrahim), you will always mention that he was jailed, and talk about his sodomy case. But if you like him, all these are not issues at all. Anwar has a much bigger obstacle [than I do], right?

Are you confident you will be re-appointed as cabinet minister?

I have to have confidence in order to survive [in politics].

Do you feel that you have been sidelined?

Yes. But it is not merely sidelined. I leave it to the public and MCA members to judge for themselves.

Would it be harder for you to work as you have limited space in the party now?

Not really. Since being active at the division level, I have always been suppressed. I am not someone who likes to please people. I am a person who calls a spade a spade.

And this is not easy for you in politics?

I don’t like to say something that is insincere to gain people’s support. I have always been like that. I don’t think I can change. It is too late. (smiles)

Will you contest the MCA presidency in three years?

I have not stabilised my post as deputy, and you ask me about the presidency? The media moves faster than me.

Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia resigned as Kota Marudu Umno division chief after he was appointed as Dewan Rakyat Speaker to avoid any conflict of interest. Do you think that the newly-appointed MCA secretary-general Datuk Wong Foon Meng should quit as well as Senate deputy president?

[For] this, you have to ask [the party] president. I believe that the president should have considered this [when he appointed Wong].

How do you see the relationship between MCA and Umno?

I don’t think there is any big problem between the MCA and Umno. Race-based parties have their own worth. I never said they don’t have any problems, but they need to change. [They should] work based on issues, not on race.


Do you think that Umno harps on racial issues?

That’s because of their party election.

Just as you have observed, some MCA leaders were vocal before the party election. They have kept silent after that. So, you can observe some of them are “political actors”. Only a handful of leaders are consistent in their stand regardless of party elections.

Chua Soi Lek
Soi Lek speaking as deputy president during the MCA
annual general meeting
Since your affair was exposed, you have personally experienced how the media has downplayed you.  As the newly-elected MCA deputy president, do you think the party is able to make a clear stand of not influencing media coverage?

This is not under my discretion. I can only ask the media to be fair. Only when the [traditional] media is independent will people have confidence in the media. That is why online media is becoming popular.

Some senior journalists [from the traditional media] refused to greet me [after the sex video scandal]. It was not that they did not see me. But they pretended they did not see me. I don’t mind. As a human being, I accept every challenge. For me, it is nothing. Some business people also declined to meet me. Only the leaders of Chinese associations have supported me all this while.

But has that changed after you became deputy?

Not really. But I don’t mind. As long as you speak from the heart, you will always say the same [thing]. No need for [my] secretary to request for amendments [from the media]. I have been a government official since I was an executive councillor [in Johor]. I have never requested to amend my statements, as long as the reports are factual. TNG

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Filed Under: Columns Tagged With: Chua Soi Lek, comeback, deputy, grassroots, interview, MCA, MCA central committee, media, political, president, scandal, video tape

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Casey says

    November 23, 2008 at 8:14 am

    Many of the Chinese are of the opinion that the good doctor lay low for a few more years after the exposure of his private life. Datuk Dr Chua has assumed that the Chinese are a forgiving race, and that extra-marital affairs are tolerated well. This is far from the truth as his behavior subsequent to the exposure showed a man who has not repented and who did not feel sorry for the wife and the family who has been cheated on. The Chinese community, the majority of whom are not MCA members, are not that forgiving.

    The caricature and cartoons released during the pre-MCA elections showing him in a compromising position in corruption did some damage to his integrity and character which is already stained by his illicit affair. Added to this, there are allegations of “big” contractors that have benefited from Datuk Dr Chua over the allocation of contracts on Turnkey projects in the Ministry of Health during his tenure, have started talking about the dubious means which they used to get the contracts. This seemed to reinforced the belief of many Chinese that there is no smoke without fire.

    I would share with other concerned Chinese that this adulterer be sidelined until society learns to accept his insincere apology to his wife, family and the Malaysian communities who have had strong faith in him and his leadership.

    A Concerned Chinese.

  2. GOHHOEHOE says

    November 24, 2008 at 4:59 pm

    Dear Dr Chua,

    You are performing your function very well, by forming a bridge between the people and the authority. I do agree government action needs to be taken according to scientific data and research in most of the cases. If you continue to do good things you will be able to win the heart of the rakyat and will be rewarded one day, I am very sure.

    步步高升渐上升
    (Step by step, you are going up)

    步步为营复运营
    (Step by step, you have maneuvered it properly)

    因缘具备方果成
    (All the elements have come together to produce a good outcome)

    欲速不达更欢空
    (If you want to move faster, you might have nothing in your hand)

    勤于耕耘为良策
    (The best approach is to work harder and harder)

    云开日现见光明
    (When the time comes, you will see the light of day)

    大道行也民安乐
    (And you will have a wide route in front of you, and the people will live happily)

    Editor’s note: The Nut Graph apologises for our very ad hoc translation of the Chinese poem, but we try our best under the circumstances.

    Shanon Shah,
    Columns and comments editor,
    The Nut Graph

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