Effective representation more important than Chinese faces in government, says Tee Keat

By Ida Lim

KUALA LUMPUR, May 12 — The “effective” representation of the people is more important than having Chinese faces in the government, MCA’s Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat amid reports that the Chinese-based party was declining government posts due to its poorer performance at the polls.
Ong described MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek’s reiteration of the party presidential council’s decision before Election 2013 as “threats” which the Chinese community had largely ignored.
“I think the outcome of this election has indicated very clearly that the ethnic Chinese have made up their minds, despite the threats issued by Dr Chua in his capacity as party president.
“Let us be pragmatic; what the people want from public office holders, including the portfolio holders from MCA, is none other than your preparedness to serve, your effectiveness in carrying out your duties,” the former MCA president told the New Sunday Times in an interview published today.
The Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition had traditionally formed governments where those from different ethnic-based parties were given posts in the administration, with prominent examples being Umno, MCA and MIC - which draws support mainly from the Malay, Chinese and Indian communities respectively.
Ong said talk about the need for such representation reflected an “old” way of thinking, saying that those wielding powere should effectively serve all Malaysians instead.
“Perhaps, certain party people were still in the same old mode of mindset, as they harped on the so-called ethnic Chinese representation in the government.
“While the people are mindful of the so-called ethnic representation within the government, they are also equally mindful of or perhaps, they are equally eager for, good delivery and effectiveness in discharging duties, irrespective of race and creed.
“What the people want is effective representation. When member(s) of parliament (are) elected, they do not just represent their own race.  So, whether a minister or deputy minister is ethnic Chinese or otherwise, they must (take) all Malaysians (to) heart,” Ong said.
The Malaysian Insider reported today that several Chinese associations said they were not worried about the possible absence of Chinese faces in the new BN cabinet, as all ministers must represent all Malaysians in the country’s new political landscape.
In the NST interview, Ong also dismissed notions that there was a “Chinese tsunami” in the polls, saying that there was instead an “urban tsunami” while pointing out that a substantial number of Malay voters had shifted their support to the federal opposition Pakatan Rakyat.
Yesterday, Dr Chua said he would be accountable for MCA’s poorer polls performance, saying that he would only resign between this June and December to settle things within the party.
Several MCA divisions and veteran leaders had openly called for his resignation as president, with the latter urging Dr Chua to do so to make way for new blood to revive the Chinese party, a founding member of BN.
“We’re asking our party president Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek to kindly step down at this time to allow new members to come in to revive and resuscitate the party,” former party president Tan Koon Swan said on Friday.
“We have no personal agenda nor are we against Dr Chua personally. For the sake of our party and the community especially, he should take responsibility and step down,” said Tan, who acted as the group’s spokesman.
Tan also said the MCA elders, 10 of whom were present at the press conference, were “saddened by the total embarrassment and humiliation” of the party’s historic defeat in its 64-year history.
MCA only won seven federal seats and 11 state seats in Election 2013, a marked failure to improve on its 2008 win of 15 federal seats and 32 state seats.