The days of conservative politics are over for MCA - it will now become a bold champion of the Chinese Malaysian community.Its president Dr Chua Soi Lek (left) tested the new resolve in a 100-page memorandum to the prime minister and BN head Najib Abdul Razak, articulating the community's needs in the upcoming 10th Malaysia Plan.
Chua said MCA has been too conservative, which has led to the wrong impression that the party "does not dare speak out".Opposition party DAP, in particular, has been able to wage a successful campaign against MCA on this score."Every time we have failed in striving for something, we did not dare not tell the Chinese community," conceded Chua."Hence, the opposition parties have successfully built an image of MCA - that the party doesn't understand the Chinese community and is even disconnected from the community.
"So I've decided to take a different approach. I think we should say everything that should be said. As for whether we succeed in negotiations, let the government leadership decide."The scope of the memorandum covers issues of education, Chinese schools, economy, public service, human resources, development of new villages, the '1Malaysia' policy and political stability.Chua said party representatives have met with Najib and explained their stand in the memorandum.MCA has urged the government to put aside RM1 billion in development funds for Chinese primary schools and RM30 million each year for maintenance of such schools.It asked the government to abolish the distinction made between fully- and partially-aided Chinese primary schools, and to pay their electric and water bills without discrimination."The amount MCA is fighting for is not much, only RM1 billion. You all (journalists) must dare to write this. Let me be scolded, I'm prepared for that."Chua proudly declared that this is far higher than the RM32 million allocated under the 9th Malaysia Plan, which comes to an end this year."I want to tell DAP and other opposition parties that MCA knows what the Chinese community wants. They have portrayed the image that MCA is incompetent and unable to represent the Chinese community, but that is not true. "
No 'instant mee' projects
He further said the government should not disburse funds to Chinese schools through "instant mee projects", but do this in a systematic way."We have told the PM that there should be a bigger allocation for Chinese schools, because 'instant mee' during by-elections don't have much effect - this may even backfire," said Chua.
The proposals in the memorandum include:
RM15 million in development funds and RM15 million in maintenance allocation for Chinese Independent High Schools
Recognition of the UEC certificate
Build 10 new Chinese primary schools and identify 15 sites for the relocation of such schools
RM500 million for new villages, for local development, and activities to bridge the gap between the government and Chinese Malaysian youth
List all sub-service areas that don't require the 30 percent bumiputera quota, and prevent civil servants from imposing this restriction privately
Implement a minimum wage for various industrial sectors
Set a limit on foreign workers in various industries, based on needs
Reshape the subsidy mechanism, assuring that only the poor benefit from this
Draft a law stating that marriages under civil law can only be relieved under civil law, thereby preventing disputes arising from religious conversion
Amend the Universities and University Colleges Act to allow students to participate in politics, although they should be prevented from holding party posts
Source from : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/132640
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