PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS BY MCA PRESIDENT DATUK SERI IR DR WEE KA SIONG ON THE OPENING OF THE MCA 67TH MEETING OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1. Good morning. Salam sejahtera dan selamat pagi kepada para pemimpin MCA, pemimpin-pemimpin veteran, para perwakilan, rakan-rakan media serta tuan-tuan dan puan-puan.Selamat datang ke Perhimpunan Agung MCA yang sepatutnya diadakan pada tahun 2020, tetapi terpaksa ditangguhkan akibat pandemik COVID-19 yang melanda negara. Syukur, hari ini kita dapat mengadakan Perhimpunan Agung MCA kali ke 67, namun secara norma baharu, iaitu secara dalam talian.Ucapan Dasar saya pada hari ini turut diterjemahkan ke dalam Bahasa Malaysia dan Inggeris serta akan diedarkan kepada para wartawan.

1. Tuan-tuan dan puan-puan, saya akan meneruskan ucapan saya dalam Bahasa Mandarin.

1. Welcome to the annual MCA annual general meeting. We were supposed to have the AGM last year but due to the pandemic, we have had to postpone it to today. We are having the AGM in an unprecedented way by having it both online and physically.

1. In 2020, we faced many challenges. As I had mentioned in my party anniversary speech, Malaysia’s political development had gone through major ups and downs in the past 20 years but the past year has been nothing less than unprecedented. Pakatan Harapan’s defeat in the Tanjung Piai by-election and its infighting had caused the collapse of the PH government and allowed Perikatan Nasional to come into power. As a result, our party became part of the ruling coalition, with one Minister and four Deputy Ministers representing the Chinese community in the ruling government.

1. After Perikatan Nasional became the Government, it had to implement the unprecedented movement control order (MCO) to stop the Covid-19 chain of infection. Even though the Perikatan Nasional government is ruling with a simple majority, most of its Cabinet members are those with prior experience in government and administration. In the past year, we have ensured that the country is well managed, giving emphasis to major issues in education, social affairs, public health, security, and unity to ensure that the country’s development and administration are on the right track. The current government may not be perfect and at times, our efforts to fight the pandemic are imperfect, but we have never and will never put people’s lives at risk. We are doing all we can to protect people’s lives and ensure that their livelihoods and the economy are not affected.

1. Other than that, since our return to the ruling coalition, we have been paying close attention to economic and education issues. On the contrary, when Pakatan Harapan was in power, the country’s economic development stagnated, while many mega projects that are beneficial to the people were terminated. Its leaders kept busy selling off the country’s assets and kept pushing the blame on the previous government, without any plans to develop the economy. Not only did it create a mess, it also ruined the original order and damaged the existing mechanism. It is as if their stance on certain matters changes along with their positions. MCA leaders have always looked at education as something close to the heart of the Chinese community which deserves our full attention. We have always handled education issues with sincerity in serving the community, regardless of the criticism we received from the public.

1. In the 2021 Budget, MCA made it possible to systematically disburse allocation to both fully and partially subsidised Chinese primary schools so that the allocation distribution for all primary schools is handled based on the number of schools, without any discrimination. We have also resumed the systematic allocation for Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC). When TAR UC was persecuted by the Pakatan Harapan government, MCA was very grateful for the support from the Chinese community to defend the interests of TAR UC so that those with sinister ulterior motives could not succeed in any of their attempts. After Perikatan Nasional became the Government, I only had to spend a few minutes to talk to current Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz about the history of TAR UC and its government allocation. He was very understanding and handled the TAR UC allocation issue without making it a racial or political issue. He also agreed to resume the allocation mechanism for TAR UC that was in place during the Barisan Nasional government’s time.

1. Even though MCA is now part of the ruling coalition, the situation is different now as it is no longer a Barisan Nasional-led government and not an independent Barisan Nasional government. Even though the political environment in the country is very different now, we remain consistent in our political struggle, be it in the government or in the opposition. We continue to defend the interests of our community and be the voice of the people. We continue to work pragmatically and not seek to be populists or attention seekers. We continue to defend the core values such as multiculturalism, inclusiveness, moderation, and peace.
2. Ladies and gentlemen, the Prime Minister has stated clearly multiple times that once the immunisation programme is carried out smoothly and the pandemic is under control, he will seek an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to request for the dissolution of Parliament and return the mandate to the people. With the general election drawing near, our party should immediately start preparing for the general election. With the 15^th general election looming, now is a crucial time to observe the people’s opinion because it will also determine the destiny of our party. To our party, facing the next general election is more important than overcoming any other challenges. Our first and foremost task is to make sure we win more seats, have bigger voices, and strengthen our party.

1. With the pandemic, we need to get used to the new normal. In the future political environment, we will also experience a new normal. No longer will a single political party rule it all but there will be multiple parties vying against each other. Currently, there are many political coalitions in our country and many of them have the experience in both serving in government and in the opposition. Therefore, MCA can no longer compete with the old model and mindset. We must move with the times to truly understand the people’s views and be their best option in order to win back their support and mandate.

1. With the general election just around the corner, I hope all our comrades will stay united to help the party triumph in the elections. We cannot afford to get involved in bickering or mudslinging; this is the “tumour” or “virus” in the party which we must avoid and eliminate. Dear comrades, let’s not lose in the general election for the sake of the party election. Our main goal as a party is to make sure that our party wins in the general election, to regain our dignity and restore the glory of the party.

1. Listen! For those who want to be candidates in the next general election, we must take practical steps and not just make noise. We must let others outside the party see our strengths, sincerity, and responsibility. Within the party, we must strengthen our organisation and cultivate camaraderie with the grassroots. We need to unite our members and energise them to fight together against our opponents.

1. If we just keep shouting on the outside in an attempt to get selected as candidates but do not bother to work in our constituencies and not put in the hard work, our efforts will eventually be wasted even when we finally get to stand in the elections. Our constituents can see clearly and they need elected representatives who are willing to put in effort to work for the people.

1. The main focus and goal of every political party is training and nurturing talents. We are a party that appreciates talents. As long as you are loyal to the party and the country, agree with the party’s political ideologies and approach, and are enthusiastic in serving the community, the party will provide you with the platform and opportunities to perform and lead. For those who have the opportunities to be candidates, you are the frontliners of the party and I hope you will portray a good image, enrich yourself, be well informed of the latest developments and win the people’s hearts.

1. Dear comrades, it has been almost three years since the 14^th general election, the political development in the country reflected a political reality, whereby in a multicultural society, a political coalition that relies on the support of a single ethnic group to rule the country will only lead to imbalance in the political system and ethnic relations. Such a government will not be able to rule effectively and the discord in ethnic relations will only become the obstacles in its governance and destroy the peace and harmony that this country has long enjoyed. This will lead the country into a situation of no return.

1. The Pakatan Harapan government is the best example. In the 14^th general election, only a minority of Malay voters supported them. Even though DAP received 42 seats, it kept making mistakes until the emotions of the Malay voters became unsettled. They continued to walk on the edge and when they had failed to fulfill their election manifesto, they just kept looking for excuses to cover their failures. They had failed to remain consistent with their words and actions and completely forgot about the promises they had made when they became the Government. Therefore, we must learn from their lesson and not make the same mistakes.

1. In this multicultural country, we must get the support from the entire nation and not just from a particular ethnic group. Since the founding of MCA, even though we are a Chinese-based party, our approach has always been to serve and care for the entire nation. In the coming 15^th general election, it is no longer a one-to-one fight. We must look for suitable partners to fight with us and to take the multicultural approach.

1. Ladies and gentlemen, Barisan Nasional is a political coalition formed by MCA, Umno and MIC. From its establishment, we have gone through storms and struggles. We have gone through thick and thin in an ever changing political environment. The multiculturalism, moderation, and inclusiveness that Barisan Nasional pursues and practises are in line with MCA’s approach. Therefore, in the coming 15^th general election, MCA will continue to stand in the elections with Barisan Nasional to ensure Barisan Nasional continues its path of inclusiveness. When necessary, we will also join forces with others to strengthen the voices of multiculturalism and moderation as well as defend this very system in the country.

1. MCA has always given its best in pushing for political development and played our role as the agent of muhibbah to maintain good interracial relations in the Government. We are always speaking the truth and solving ethnic issues pragmatically. When we were the opposition, we ensured that we played our role in check-and-balance well to protect the people’s interests. I sincerely hope that the Chinese community will give us an opportunity by not putting all eggs in one basket but instead, allow a balanced political development between the ruling coalition and the opposition. This is to make sure there will not be a situation whereby all other ethnic groups are present in the government, except for the Chinese. Do let MCA have voices in the Parliament and state assemblies and negotiation power to solve people’s problems. This will prevent the Chinese community from being marginalised in the country’s mainstream politics.

1. Dear comrades, the National Immunisation Programme has begun and the number of Covid-19 cases has reduced significantly worldwide, our country has now officially entered the post-pandemic era. Subsequently, MCA will emphasise on three important missions  - to push for economic recovery, strengthen political stability, and promote interracial harmony.

1. We have seen the economic analyses and the viewpoints of economists that when immunisation becomes more prevalent and the world gradually recovers from the pandemic, there will be “revenge spending”. That means after a long-term suppression during the spread of the Covid-19 virus and the MCO, consumers will start compensating for lost time with a surge in people going out for entertainment and shopping, watching movies in cinemas, dining out, and travelling. All these will help revive the service, retail, tourism, and manufacturing industries.

1. Therefore, even though there will still be challenges and uncertainties in a post-pandemic economy, it is also a crucial time for economic rebound and revival. Many countries are eyeing this golden opportunity to make sure that they are well prepared for this time by planning for the immunisation programmes. They allow those in essential services for the economic sector to be given priority for vaccination so that important sectors are able to open up ahead of other countries. This is to ensure that those with the advantage will move the country’s economy towards a full revival with minimal efforts.

1. Our country must not lag behind or we will miss the golden opportunity for economic revival. During his media interview a few days ago in conjunction with Perikatan Nasional’s 1^st anniversary, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin revealed that he will unveil a full economic revival plan in mid of March, including attracting foreign investment, improving export activities, and pushing for economic development in several sectors. MCA will play an active role in promoting these plans to benefit the people.

1. Ladies and gentlemen, political stability is very important in fighting the pandemic and ensuring a good business environment. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong consented to a state of emergency at the Cabinet’s request on January 12. The Emergency declaration is to stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus and to allow the Government to make quick decisions and implement plans to control the pandemic, without having to go through  Parliament. We hope political struggle will not affect our work to put the pandemic under control when human lives are involved. We must take into consideration the feelings of our frontliners. Since the outbreak, they have been working selflessly for us and the Government must ensure that they can fight this battle without any worries. Any political instability will bring more damage to the country’s economy and the people’s interests. Therefore, in this critical moment, we must ensure political stability to prevent the country from any forms of chaos or instability.

1. I hope that during this pandemic, the ruling coalition will focus on administration while the opposition continues to play its role in check-and-balance so that we can put the pandemic under control and revive the economy. Both the ruling parties and the opposition must utilise their resources and use their strengths to help the people and the business community. The most urgent task now for both ruling and opposition leaders is to let go of our political differences to protect people’s lives and their livelihoods. This will help us to adapt to a post-pandemic era to start over again and move towards a better future.

1. Dear comrades, in a multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-lingual society with different values, we must cultivate interracial harmony to promote trust and respect. We must continue the understanding, not raise tensions. Our responsibility is to promote racial harmony and not friction or hatred. Racial friction is the biggest failure of the previous government. Interracial relations is the most important issue in ensuring economic vibrancy, political stability, social improvements, and development.

1. The various mistakes made by the Pakatan Harapan government led to tensions in interracial relations. MCA will promote racial harmony through various practical moves in the future so that there will be mutual support as we continue to live united in this land and enjoy shared prosperity.

1. Ladies and gentlemen, the virus has changed the way we used to live and the entire world is affected by the pandemic. This shows that change is inevitable and I hope in this new year, we will be able to turn things around. As last year was also the 60^th anniversary of Tun Tan Cheng Lock’s passing, let us return to the original intentions of this party’s founding, which is to serve the people and benefit the Chinese community and the nation.

1. Dear comrades, together let us overcome the challenges and give our utmost. May all of you come out of this pandemic stronger. I also wish our party a great triumph in the coming general election and that the Chinese community will give us full support so that we will be able to return to our glorious days. Thank you!

 -MCA online-