'MCA and the Chinese are one'

KAJANG: The Chinese community deserves fair treatment because they have been playing an important role in the country’s development all this while, said MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

“MCA as a Chinese-based party and the Chinese community is one entity and share the same fate,” he added.

Liow reiterated his pledge that MCA would continue to defend the community, a role it had played in the past and would continue to work hard at.

He added the community deserved dignity, equality and respect.

“This is what the Chinese wants,” he said, referring to an extremist remark “apa lagi Cina mahu” which was published by a local media after the general election last year.

While MCA was first set up 65 years ago to defend the wellbeing of the Chinese community, Liow pointed out that the party had been serving the people irrespective of racial background.

Speaking at the Hulu Langat MCA 65th anniversary celebration here on Sunday, Liow said the party has many good leaders at all levels to serve the people effectively.

“We may have our ups and downs along the way.

“We need the people’s support to soldier on,” he said, describing the party’s dismal performance in the last two general elections as an all time low for the party.

“Let the coming March 23 Kajang by-election be the first stop for the party’s transformation process,” said Liow, who has pledged to transform the party after becoming president on Dec 21 last year.

He said he believes in serving the public sincerely, persevering and having the confidence to soldier on to pave way for a better tomorrow for MCA and the community.

Liow also appealed to the voters to support Barisan Nasional candidate and MCA vice-president Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun on March 23.

Chew is taking on PKR president Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail who is contesting under a Pakatan Rakyat ticket.