Wee: Don’t get too worked up whenever MCA expresses its views

KUALA LUMPUR: Cabinet ministers, their deputies and political party leaders should not get “too worked up” whenever MCA expresses its viewpoints or points out weaknesses, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic).

“They should have the willingness to correct mistakes and take steps that will stop them from making avoidable missteps.

“If the government is doing a good job, the people will have less to worry about,” said the party president as he underscored MCA’s determination to voice out against any injustice.

He also reminded the administration not to practise double standards and snub those who questioned the government’s policies and governance and lamented that, despite MCA’s experience in the Federal Government for the past decades, some politicians in the unity government are still against MCA and criticise the party, jeopardising solidarity in the unity government.

“We are just stating the facts when we criticise or make suggestions to the unity government.

“We have no intention to take it out on anyone or make personal attacks,” said Dr Wee in his address to party members at the MCA annual general meeting here yesterday, where he also called on party members to actively dispel misinformation and falsehoods.

On the education front, Dr Wee said MCA is willing to assist the government in developing the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum.

“MCA has the experience and expertise in the field of education to tailor education curricula for primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

“We have dedicated experts for designing curricula for private primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, and we are willing to share this expertise as long as the government is open,” he added.

On the need to put aside internal rivalry after the party election this month, Dr Wee decried any intolerance of differing opinions in democratic institutions like MCA.

“Everyone must close ranks, respect the outcome, and focus on party affairs.

“We can have (friendly) competitions while we work with one another, and that is how we maintain vigour in the party.

“We must join hands with one another again after any contest, and that is how we show the party’s fighting spirit,” said Dr Wee, who noted with disappointment that a small group of party comrades who “could not appreciate the spirit of a (party) election”.

“Some of them are still upset that certain divisional members did not vote according to what was negotiated before and did not give them support.

“Some have even claimed that they wanted to leave and form their own party.

“Such negativity only intensifies the tension between the different factions, without benefiting the party at all,” he added.

Admitting that factionalism has always existed in all parties, Dr Wee emphasised that there is no place for intolerance for differing views within the party.

He acknowledged that diverse viewpoints naturally attract distinct groups of followers (of the respective viewpoints), resulting in factionalism.

Rather than deny their existence, he said the focus should be on ensuring that all factions can collaborate to ease the tension.

Dr Wee also told delegates that the party’s improved voting system, which allowed 33,000 divisional delegates to elect the senior leadership, has succeeded in strengthening democracy within MCA.

He noted that the voting setup was a “transitional system” as the party refined the process to be even more inclusive, with the goal of reforming the party election mechanism.

“On this note, we welcome our comrades to give more constructive suggestions, as this will assist us in addressing the weaknesses in our election machinery and eliminate any unhealthy practices.”