Speech by

MCA President Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai

MCA 68^th Anniversary Celebration

Theme: “Stronger Together”

Dewan San Choon, Wisma MCA on 5 March 2017

My beloved party veterans, Chinese guilds and association leaders, central leaders and all comrades

1. First of all, I would like to warmly welcome the presence of the Chinese association leaders. I am also thankful to the veterans for their care for the party and homecoming for this celebration.

1. Standing here on this dignified stage of MCA’s 68^th Anniversary Celebrations today, we are not only here to cherish old memories and to pay respect to the party’s forefathers, but most importantly, to proclaim: That we will never forget and abandon the sacred mission of MCA’s foundation to ensure the well-being of our Chinese brothers and sisters. We swim or sink together!

1. Never do we forget, 68 years ago, how our beloved Tun Sir Tan Cheng Lock rose to the occasion when the Malayan Chinese were facing an uncertain future by combining efforts with other far-sighted Chinese leaders to found MCA. Neither have we forgotten, how Tun Tan decisively reorganised MCA to become a political party to not only unite our race but also work hand-in-hand with leaders of other races to unite all Malayans, paving the way for Malaya’s Independence. For this, MCA became the founding party of Malaya and subsequently, Malaysia, marking a bright page of Chinese politics in this nation.  

1. In our 60 years of nationhood, MCA in sailing through the racial political structure, always upholds the moderate values, maintains the joint-governing model set forth by the three-party Alliance and later Barisan Nasional, and defends the power-sharing concept among the various races. Please take note that, in the process of preserving the joint-government concept, MCA has a 60-year long history of sacrifice.  

1. Here, on behalf of today’s MCA, I would like to repeat our pledge to the Chinese community: That no matter how misunderstood we are, we are resolute in our fight for Chinese’s political rights until the end; we will defend all we have as enshrined in the Federal Constitution at all costs; we will exhaust all avenues to enhance Chinese’s economic strength; we will push for education and culture all-out; we will continue to be an important pillar to maintain a peaceful and harmonious society. We propagate moderate governance and embrace multi-culturalism, but we are not that pedantic to think that the Chinese should abandon our identity.

1. Knowing what the Chinese want is one thing, but whether the actions taken by the Chinese will bear fruits as they hope for is another. Some Chinese, when making political choice are indecisive, or too extreme, too passive or even self-abandoning. Some are too optimistic and are myopically manipulated by into believing that DAP could bring a better future. Today, you are seeing a clear picture: the stronger DAP is, the more extreme the national politics have become, and Chinese representation in mainstream politics becomes even more marginalised.

1. We are all citizens. Our forefathers were the pioneers in national development and our children will continue to be the path-breakers and defenders of this nation. We were born and we grew up here. Malaysia is our country and our home. We are inseparable. Without our forefathers’ efforts and our generation’s sweat and tears, the nation would not have been able to enjoy the prosperity today. Therefore, my dear comrades, we can tell it loud and clear without hesitation that we are the masters of this country. As a citizen, it is our basic right to pursue the preservation and development in areas of politics, economy, culture and education. This is in no way detrimental to others. Therefore, we will not retreat but stand firm. Nobody can question our status as the masters of this nation either legally or factually.

1. Let bygones be bygones, we cannot live in the past but must start anew. MCA members and all Chinese must discard the baggage of the past. No more self-destruction and divisions. The Chinese at large must learn the political reality and made to understand that DAP can never be the best choice for them. Truth be told, in the previous two general elections, DAP had been using irresponsible political gimmicks to create a perceived Chinese unity, resulting in the dilution of Chinese representation. This has put the Chinese in the passivity under the Opposition and indirectly helped boost up PAS’ power base and went on to open the fatal floodgate for hudud.     

1. BN is a political alliance consisting of 13 component parties of which its Constitution clearly states that, we subscribe to power-sharing and decide by consensus. This means that every single party is an indispensable one. We are equal, therefore we should not be the scapegoat for others’ mistakes, neither should we self-punish for that. The calls to withdraw from BN is therefore immoral and illegal, and strategically incorrect.   

1. We will continue to play our role in BN. We are the defender for the Federal Constitution, and the stabiliser to right the wrong and answer to hegemony. History reveals that, the role of MCA and other parties in BN have been consistent in all issues, be it fighting for citizenship, insisting on multi-stream education, pushing for the setting up of the National Economic Action Council or the opposition to PAS’ Private Member’s Bill on Act 355. We insist on playing a key role in BN. We do not simply withdraw.

1. Politics is the ‘greatest affairs in ruling a country’. It is related to the rise and fall of the country and the well-being of the people. It is something serious and sacred. Any political party in Malaysia, with a sense of responsibility and mission, will all need to walk the path of ‘Fair and Democratic’, ‘Moderation and Open’. This is to safeguard the interests of the people and protect the country’s harmony and stability. Using the ‘win-win principle’ and ‘inclusive’ spirit, in shaping a ‘community of common destiny’. Any political party that disregards the ethnic plurality and multiracism characteristics of Malaysia, emphasising ‘self-gains’ and ‘theocratic state’ by slandering rival parties; and partnering with other parties with contrasting ideology, will all bring disastrous consequences to the country.

1. On the contrary, our party leaders are far-sighted, forming coalition with Malay parties, working together for the independent of the nation. Recognising the ‘BN’s multiracial coalition’ operandi mondus, the party leaders formed Barisan Nasional with Malay parties under the suggestion of the late Tun Razak. All these indicated that MCA is defending the interests of the Chinese community, upholding the principle of ‘mutual respect and harmony among different races to build a home together’.

My dear comrades,

1. In fact, since the day the party was founded, MCA has created a brand for itself, establishing the brand of ‘Community of Common Destiny’ between MCA and the Chinese community. MCA’s founding and existence are to defend the interests of the Chinese community. MCA’s political powers must rely on the Chinese support. Without the Chinese support, MCA will no longer sit on equal seat with Umno. Likewise, without the defense of MCA, Chinese community will face all kinds of tough challenges. This is a harsh reality. Without doubts, politics is about gaining support. If the Chinese can support MCA strongly, then MCA will be able to fight for the rights and interests the Chinese deserved. If the support shrinks, our negotiating power will be weaken too. We cannot gain at the mercy of others. The real politics never works like that.   

1. The theme for today’s anniversary is ‘Stronger Together’. I would like to stress that unity is not just about uniting MCA, but also uniting the Chinese community. Ever since I was entrusted the important task of leading the party, I have been actively promoting the unity of the party over the past three years. Advocating the principle of ‘Stronger Together’, as I believe that we must be self-reliance, uniting the party before uniting all Chinese, then only we can achieve national unity. History taught us that, this is a workable principle, uniting MCA, uniting Chinese community, uniting the people. Multiracial unity, an effective country founding principle. Not only we have to defend it wholeheartedly, but also fully implement it. In this era full of chaos and extremism, we have to believe in the ‘Stronger Together’ concept.    

1. We have gone through review, soul-searching and transformation. The foundation of MCA will not collapse in our hands as we are sincere and hard-working and will definitely make the Chinese realise our persistency in upholding our sacred mission. How I wish I could let you see my heart to clear your doubts. If the Chinese could eventually understand our hard work, whatever hardships and humiliations that we have gone through will be worth its while.

1. The Chinese community today is facing the most rigorous challenge in 60 years. The secular system we have been so proud of, may be destroyed at once as the Chinese political representation is vulnerable now. It may even be disastrous. I want to make the strongest call to all the Chinese out there to have a complete mind-set reform, at this crucial juncture, to be unprecedentedly united to change the destiny of the Chinese.  

1. MCA and the Chinese community are Stronger Together and will strengthen the Chinese political power in the government. With this political power, MCA will have greater influence in the government’s administration and we can fight for more resources to help bring more benefits and opportunities for the Chinese community, and to implement national transformation.

My dear comrades,

1.         Malaysia is a country full of potential. Our economic development grows better. Last year, for Q2, Q3 and Q4, Malaysia enjoyed 4%, 4.2% and 4.5% growth respectively. This year, the prices for commodities like palm oil and rubber are climbing. The forecast for global economic growth is also positive. Therefore, our economic performance for this year looks brighter.          

1. The government is working on the TN-50 vision, looking forward to placing Malaysia as among the top 20 countries for competitiveness. To achieve this mission, the Prime Minister has started nationwide dialogues, obtaining feedback, especially proposals from youths, to consolidate the TN-50 vision, and I have informed MCA State and Division leaders to participate and consult with NGOs to obtain their feedbackregarding TN-50.    

1.         During the Prime Minister’s state visit to China in November last year, Dato’ Sri Najib had asked Jack Ma to assist Malaysia in developing e-commerce. We foresee that trading via e-commerce will fluourish. One of the conditions to ensure development of e-commerce is the efficiency of the logistics sector. For this purpose, the federal government has established a National Logistics Taskforce which is chaired by myself in the capacity as Transport Minister to smoothen the process. The first phase achieved very positive results. I hope our comrades and youths can grab the opportunities opened by the logistics sector.

My dear comrades,

1. As Transport Minister, I represented the Malaysian government and signed a Memorandum of Understanding on establishing the Malaysia-China Port Alliance with the Chinese government.  For Malaysian Chinese, we must make full use of our existing advantage to venture into the global market. Undoubtedly, China is the most important partner. For long-term consideration, MCA established a cordial party-to-party relationship with the Communist Party of China, to enhance communication and co-operation between the two nations in all aspects. Since 2015, both sides have for two consecutive years conducted the “Belt and Road Initiative (OBOR) Business Dialogue”, making the trade between the two nations interactive. In December 2016, our party together with 46 local Chinese guilds and associations signed the “MCA-Chinese Community Belt and Road Declaration” to clearly express the Chinese community’s aspirations for China-Malaysia relations.

1.         In line with Malaysia’s national economic transformation programme, MCA set up the Secretariat for the Advancement of Malaysian Enterprises (SAME) under the Prime Minister’s Department and headed by our Deputy President Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, introduced various unconventional start-ups funding and financing. Since its establishment, it has helped more than 17,000 firms in financing issues. Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib RM150 million Koperasi Jayadiri (KOJADI) under MCA for the “Chinese SME Loan Scheme” thereby giving the Chinese-dominated SMEs a tremendous boost.

1. In April 2016, KOJADI submitted a detailed business plan to Suruhanjaya Koperasi Malaysia (SKM) for its consideration. Kojadi is working actively in fundraising to meet the requisite RM300 million shareholders’ fund required to become a Co-op Bank. Kojadi was ranked 20^th on the TOP 100 Best Cooperative Societies in year 2016, out of over 13,200 Cooperative societies in the country. In 2015, Kojadi was ranked 62^nd.

My dear comrades,

1. To strengthen the position of our Chinese community, we need to provide good education to the younger generation, especially tertiary education. This is why we founded TAR University College, UTAR, VTAR, contributed towards the setting up and upgrade of Southern College, New Era College to university college status, and Han Chiang College.

1.         I am happy to note that, the party is united at all levels in pushing for the transformation. Yesterday, the amendments to the party Constitution went through smoothly, enabling more Wanita MCA and MCA Youth members to become central delegates. This is part of our continuous effort in expanding democracy within the party, and increasing the grassroots’ participation in party matters.

1. The amendment is not only to widen participation per se. We have also concurrently allowed additional younger members to take part in decision-making at the central level. In our top leadership meeting, we unanimously agreed to increase the representation of MCA Youth and Wanita MCA. With the amendment, we foresee more young ladies to play important roles in the party. We hope that all members, especially the senior leaders, can co-operate in making this transformation effort a success, by not only helping the party to rejuvenate, but also allowing more women to participate in important projects and hold more important positions.

1. In order to achieve better growth for all our projects mentioned above, MCA must win the general elections. As we anticipate the general elections to be held this year, all MCA members must now be prepared to go to war now. One of the important projects is to directly approach our members for information updating via biometric verification. At present, such efforts nationwide still need improvement but we are running short of time now. I want all comrades, especially the leaders at the Division and Branch levels to push for this wholeheartedly for the next half a year. Certainly, in the party’s Anniversary Celebrations today, I must specially commend the most outstanding Divisions and Branches for carrying out this project most important to our party’s future!

1. ICT has become a part of our daily life. Information spreads very rapidly. MCA needs to utilise the social media as a tool to get better results in the general elections. The party already has a publicity strategy, and I urge all MCA members to make use of your mobile phones to help the party woo voters.

1. MCA is a seasoned party with 68 years of experience. We have contributed to the nation’s unity and prosperity for over 60 years and will continue to do so. We firmly hold on to our mission and principle and ensure that we will not let either our forefathers or future generations down. When the going gets tough for the nation, we must even be more diligent in defending our nation and our homes. I urge all MCA members, Chinese community leaders, and all Malaysian Chinese to stay united and to protect the democratic and diversified national system, and preserve the power-sharing political model in combating the advancement of extremist theocracy and divisive social storm. MCA and the Chinese community are stronger together.

Stronger Together!

Stronger Together!

Stronger Together!

Dato' Sri Liow Tiong Lai
MCA President

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