KUALA LUMPUR: The recent decision by MCA to take up posts at state level is timely in light of the Goods and Services Tax announcement in Budget 2014, said MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai (pix).
He said the feedback from the community would be presented to the government prior to the implementation of the GST in April 2015.
He chided certain quarters, particularly the opposition, for playing on racial sentiments with claims the budget favoured a particular community.
"It is not fair to make such accusations that the Chinese were left out in the budget.
"We need to explain why assistance is given to one community and not the other in the context of the nation's multiracial society," he said.
As a multiracial society, he noted that the wants of a particular community may differ and any assistance provided is on a need and merit basis.
"However, MCA will not support raced-based policies but only those based of needs or merit.
"MCA will voiced out to the government if otherwise," he added.
On Malay rights group Perkasa's call for Gerakan to disband and join MCA, Liow said this was not necessary.
"What is important is for us to strengthen our own respective parties and working together to strengthen Barisan for the next general election.
"Why talk about disbanding and joining others when we are still weak?," he said.