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Muhyiddin warns MCA to stick to BN’s pact

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16 – Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin warned the MCA today not to undermine the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition when fighting for the Chinese community.

Muhyiddin, who is also BN deputy chairman, reminded MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek to be sensitive to the needs of other races in the country.

“In Barisan Nasional we always take similar stand on issues affecting all races,” Muhyiddin told reporters here.

Earlier today Dr Chua said MCA was not afraid to share similar views with opposition, such as DAP, when fighting for the Chinese community.

Dr Chua also described Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein’s reminder for MCA to stick to BN’s struggle as a failure to learn from the coalition worst electoral performance in 2008 when it lost its two-thirds parliamentary majority.

“If they want to fight for the Chinese community it must not touch on the interest of the Malays,” said Muhyiddin.

“I hope component parties will take this into consideration, so as not to cause any misunderstanding. Whether they want to take similar stand with DAP is another matter, but their views must not lead to misunderstanding,” he added.

On MCA’s stand to push hard for the implementation of the resolutions passed at last weekend’s Chinese Economic Congress, Muhyiddin said the government has the final say on issues such as the pro-Bumiputera policy.

“If it touches on government policy, MCA must understand the question of special privileges, wealth distribution, it is the government’s duty to uphold the policy,” said Muhyiddin.

“Whatever they wish to fight for, they have to consider BN’s interest. I don’t think MCA will ignore the importance of BN’s cooperation,” he added.

When asked about the resolution by the Chinese Economic Congress for the 30 per cent Bumiputera equity quota to be abolished, Muhyiddin said the Malays’ share of the economy is still low.

He also reminded MCA that the unfair distribution of wealth had resulted in the 1969 racial riot, the worst in the multi-racial country.

“This has to be looked in a larger context, without a fair distribution, we saw what happened in 1969, I hope it won’t happen again,” he said.

“I am sure Datuk Chua Soi Lek knows that the Malays are not successful yet, so he has to be fair to the Malays,” said Muhyiddin.

“If he wants the country to progress, there must be a fair economic distribution,” he added.