MCA: Online poll shows importance of comprehending public sentiment

The opinion poll, “Whether MCA should quit Barisan Nasional” on the personal blog MCA President Dato’ Sri Ong Tee Keat was conducted over a year ago in the aftermath of the political tsunami that swept Malaysia last general elections, even prior to his election as party President. This was part of MCA’s ongoing effort to gather public feedback on issues affecting the rakyat, more so after the March 8, general elections.

There is absolutely nothing wrong in the MCA President putting up the opinion poll. As a responsible party that listens to the grouses of the people, neither MCA nor any BN component party can ill-afford to turn a deaf ear, or behave like the proverbial ostrich that buries its head in the ground when in fear, against the reasons that led to voters repudiating BN.  

It should also be pointed out that Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak has already categorized the opinion poll as an academic exercise and has stated that “MCA has no intention of leaving Barisan Nasional.”

It is inaccurate by any quarters to imply that the opinion poll was meant to assert pressure against UMNO to cave in to other BN component parties. It is fatuous for anyone to think that ties between BN component parties can be easily threatened with a simple online poll. Even before Merdeka, the Alliance and then BN, has withstood the tests of time. MCA remains very much committed to the ideals of the Alliance and BN. The trust between component parties cannot be easily undermined.

It is in the interest of EVERY component party to find out why many poll respondents feel that MCA should leave BN. The opinion poll does warrant the requirement by all BN component parties to comprehend public sentiment and remedy the root causes of BN’s poor showing. The opinion poll does reveal that BN has does not hold the same favourable grounds with the voters as we used to before. Is it because voters appreciate MCA but rejects BN, or because accepts BN but rejects other component parties?

MCA is taking pains to change and moving forward with the times. The three thrusts of the party’s transformation plan enable MCA to keep engaging with multiracial Malaysians, seeking a remedy to any issue. The main intention of the opinion poll was to gather input and to feel the pulse of the rakyat. MCA respects the views and concerns of voters even if they maybe unfavourable to BN. Our party will continuously strive to improve our performance and delivery to rakyat.

Regretfully, a particular Malay-language newspaper seems to remain stagnated in its old mould of breeding xenophobia against non-Malays or non-Muslims, thus repulsing more decent minded Malaysians against BN, including our traditional supporters.  The media plays an important role in disseminating information to the masses. Unfortunately, a recent commentary in the said Malay-language newspaper borders on provocation, not only between BN component parties, but against the different ethnicities in Malaysia. The issues or challenges raised by the said newspaper or fellow Member of Parliament are created and misdirected.

Lee Wei Kiat

MCA Spokesperson

MCA Information & Communication Bureau Chief