MCA vice-president Chew Mei Fun has urged DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng to stop playing the race card ahead of the Balakong by-election, and instead asked him to put a stop to the ‘congress of bumiputera.’

“If he really cares about unity, I hope that he can go and stop Bersatu from organising the congress of bumiputera. This is what I think he should do,” Chew told the press at Balakong MCA campaign operation room.

This is believed to be a reference to the 2018 Congress on the Future of Bumiputeras & the Nation (KBN 2018) to be held by the of Economic Affairs Ministry on Sept 1.

The ministry announced yesterday that KBN 2018 will be part of government's efforts to formulate a new bumiputera empowerment agenda.

Chew was responding to Lim, who said yesterday that Harapan stands for unity because it is using the coalition logo in the by-election – as opposed to MCA, whose usage of its own logo showed that it only represented the interests of a single ethnic group.

‘Multiracial for decades’

The MCA leader stressed that her party had been working together with people from all ethnic backgrounds since its inception.

“I want to emphasise that although MCA consists of Chinese members, we remain in a multiracial and multicultural approach since the party was formed in 1949.

“We have been cooperating with other races for a long time,” she said at the launching of Balakong MCA manifesto this morning.

Chew added that Lim should focus on developing the country and solving the economic problems faced by the people, instead of playing up racial issues – as he is an MP, and the finance minister.

“His responsibility as a minister is to make people’s lives better, the manifesto of Pakatan Harapan also promised so. However, the cost of living will still be rising as ringgit keeps devaluing now.”

Chew added that although the new government had abolished the GST, commodity prices may rise again when the SST is implemented on Sept 1.

Constructive opposition

MCA candidate for Balakong Tan Chee Teong launched his five-point manifesto today, and stressed that he wants to become a constructive member of the opposition in the Selangor state assembly.

He promised to play his “check and balance” role, and prevent the current state government from corruption and abuse of power.

The five local issues, which he is urging the current government to solve, includes transportation, drainage, public security and garbage disposal problems.

Tan also mentioned that he will urge the government to either abolish the tolls or reduce the paying rates.

However, these promises are not listed in Harapan's manifesto.

-Malaysiakini-