End dispute for BN’s sake

Interest-free loans: MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan, Dr Wee and foundation trustee Datuk Liew Yuen Keong (in blue) congratulating successful loan applicants at Wisma MCA yesterday.

KUALA LUMPUR: The dispute between Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has to end fast for the sake of Barisan Nasional.

Describing the dispute as getting more heated by the day, MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said he feared it will spell trouble for Barisan.

“It will tarnish Barisan’s image in the long run. The argument is also diverting attention from what Barisan is doing to help the people,” he said.

He added that the opposition had begun to quote Dr Mahathir’s statements to attack the Prime Minister.

Speaking to reporters after presenting cheques to loan recipients of the Chang Min Thien Foundation, Dr Wee said he believed that Dr Mahathir had Malaysia and Barisan’s best interest at heart.

Asked if it would be better for Barisan if the former prime minister remained silent, he said it would be rude “to ask a 89-year-old man to shut up”.

Dr Wee also dismissed PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s idea of a unity government, pointing out that the opposition parties themselves were at odds with each other.

He described Pakatan Rakyat as a political chameleon, citing the “ambiguous relationship” between DAP and PAS.

“They say they are separate, but during the Permatang Pauh by-election, they kissed. After that, it’s back to being separate,” said Dr Wee.

Dr Wee, who is the foundation’s selection committee chairman, presented cheques for loans amounting to RM1.089mil to 60 students.

Describing MCA as a “colour-blind” party, he said a quarter of the recipients were Indians.

Since 2004, the foundation has been giving interest-free loans totalling RM29.778mil to 1,927 students, 1,258 of whom have graduated and started repaying their loans.