IPOH: MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has urged the government not to give in to just any request by the Japanese government just because of the good bilateral relationship.
He said this in response to the controversial monument to fallen Japanese soldiers built in Alor Setar, Kedah.
Dr Wee said the government should be working in the right manner, and not do things that did not bring benefit to the people.
“Why do such things? Just because of the good relationship with Japan now, whatever they ask, the government should give? That should not happen.
“No one can change history, and the fact remains that the three soldiers were no heroes.
“Ask about the experiences of those who survived the Japanese Occupation; how the people of Tanah Melayu were abused when the troops conquered a place,” he said at a press conference after the groundbreaking ceremony of the Perak Wushu, Lion and Dragon Dance Federation’s training centre in Buntong here Sunday (March 31).
Many outraged Malaysians as well as political parties cried foul over the monument, lambasting it as a "big mistake".
Dr Wee said he failed to understand the justification of the Kedah state government for the monument.
“Something is not right, as they can’t get the facts of history right. To ensure that the people realise this is not right, we must protest.
“I also agree with state (Wushu) Federation president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon’s suggestion to bring forward a motion to the national Federation objecting to the monument and portraying the soldiers as heroes,” he added.
Meanwhile, asked about the possibility of MCA working with PAS, Dr Wee responded by asking which parties worked with PAS, and even formed a government together from 2008 to 2018, in reference to DAP and PKR.
He said PAS was not part of the Barisan Nasional coalition, but it was an independent party.
"Like I said, any Sabahan, Sarawakian, or any party, be it from the Pakatan Harapan component parties, if we think that we have a common goal for a good cause of the people, we can work together.
“For instance, on the abolishment of the death penalty, if any party opposes the proposal of the government, then let’s work together.
“I don’t care if it is from Pakatan, or any other opposition party. Furthermore, we work as an opposition bloc, and if we feel the government is not performing up to mark, we can have the same stand and work together.
“It should be issue-based rather than saying ‘I want to be friends with you, or I don’t want to be friends with you'.
"I think we can’t make simple analogies like that,” he added.
Dr Wee said: “MCA has not signed any agreement with any party. I have not held hands with any other leaders, nor have I hugged them.
“Everything is based on issues within the context of the Constitution, which should not deviate from the original intent of the Barisan’s alliance spirit,” he added.
On the abolition of the death penalty, Dr Wee said the government should not act like a "pasar malam" (night market).
He said they changed their stands whenever they felt like it.
“I have said in Parliament before. There is a need to form a parliamentary select committee to listen to the people from all walks of life, as they are able to contribute ideas and suggestions, but my idea was denied.
“It is pointless to listen to certain groups of people only, and get all excited to abolish the death penalty,” he added.
Dr Wee said he had been constantly ‘fighting’ in Parliament over the issue.
“But lately, Deputy Speaker Nga Kor Ming says the abolishment must not be done in haste.
“We managed to get hundreds if not thousands of signatures from the public over the abolition, and families of victims have also gone to the streets, and only then did they (Pakatan) realise.
“Suddenly, they become the hero, and are stating that the views of the people must be taken into consideration,” he added.
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