Chew Mei Fun: Beef up effort in exploring, Chinese are no longer hostile towards MCA

By: Zhong Ying Xin
Sin Chew Daily, 20 June 2016

(Kuala Lumpur 19 June) MCA vice president Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun points out that MCA president Liow Tiong Lai’s firm stand and decisive move on handling hudud law issue have brought confidence back to Chinese voters. They are no longer hostile towards MCA.

When interviewed by Sin Chew Daily today, she said that the landslide victories in Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar by-elections reflect the return of Chinese votes in a significant manner. This shows the demand of Chinese voters are simple – to be respected and to have leaders whom they can relate to. MCA needs to probe further on this for people to sense that MCA represents the Chinese.

The mood changes prior to by-elections

‘When we were campaigning, we have sensed that Chinese voters are not that hostile towards MCA as they were during General Elections in 5 May 2013. We sensed that the political scenario and mood have changed. As Pakatan Rakyat split and abuses of opposition parties begin to surface, people are confused and lost. They realise opposition parties are not any better.”

She said MCA should not be carried away by the return of Chinese votes in supporting Barisan Nasional in this by-election. There is still a long journey and effort to be made to regain the confidence of people.

“The by-election results reflect people looking forward to defending the Federal Constitution and to some extent the return of Chinese votes, who are those fence sitters. The fence sitters have used the votes to send the message clearly that all people treasure and want to defend moderation, harmony and religious freedom under Federal Constitution.”

She is of the view that the constitutional crisis caused by PAS (in tabling hudud law in parliament) and support of the motion by Parti Amanah Negara (PAN) lead to Chinese aware that they need to back MCA for the latter to be able to defend the system in a firm manner.

Fundamental support of DAP in Sekinchan is softening

On Chinese votes in Sekinchan who are still supporting PAN, Chew said MCA did not expect to improve Chinese support overnight nor looking down on Sekinchan state assemblyman Ng Swee Lim and DAP’s influence in the area.

“Instead of saying that the Chinese votes in Sekinchan have been given to PAN, why not change the version to say that DAP is still influential in the area. However DAP’s influence and support have soften.”

She said as long as the Barisan Nasional, MCA and Umno are able to move towards moderation and improve on policy implementation to be more transparent to convince people, the support of DAP would further diminish.

“On the other hand, Selangor state under Pakatan Rakyat is unable to resolve the fishermen’s issue on agricultural development. It was the Federal Government which has resolved them. Apart from national issues, voters are more concerned with issues affecting their day-to-day lives. The split in Pakatan Rakyat and unity in MCA have contributed to the by-election result today.”

She said in the coming General Election, political parties of two divide would be comparing with each other on fairness and corrupt free policies. She believes that voters would not be voting for party instead of candidates in the next General Elections. The quality of candidates would be crucial. This is like the newly elected Sungai Besar MP Budiman who is friendly, honest and well-received.

Does not rule out on snap poll

Asked whether Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib would ride on the tide to hold General Elections, Chew said she does not rule out this possibility. A victory of an election is not due to one single factor. There are many unforeseen developments in the process of an election.

She stresses that the message delivered in the by-election does not only empower MCA but also to all coalition members of Barisan Nasional who believe in power sharing and constitution for them to have more confidence in continuing to support moderation and the ideology of “we are one family”.