KUALA LUMPUR: The proposed Agenda Malaysia Biru calls for a more inclusive, stable and competitive Malaysia built through consultation rather than confrontation, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The MCA president said the “blue” theme reflected the party’s identity and the need for political parties to work together despite their differences.
“Malaysia Biru must be a Malaysia that is sovereign, united and innovative,” he said at the 12th BN Forum themed Agenda Malaysia Biru on Wednesday (Oct 7).
Dr Wee said MCA’s experience in Barisan Nasional showed that differences among component parties need not result in division, as long as issues were discussed openly and decisions made collectively.
“We may differ in views, but we must sit down, discuss and find a solution. There cannot be one party that wins everything,” he said.
He said the ability to negotiate and seek common ground was particularly important in a multiracial country such as Malaysia.
Unveiled by Umno president and BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi last month, the agenda outlines Barisan’s proposed path for Malaysia towards its centenary of independence, covering human capital, TVET, tax reform and locally created technology.
Meanwhile, Dr Wee added, political leaders should not take populist positions merely to win immediate support, but make decisions in the country’s long-term interest.
“Courage is not about shouting or quarrelling. Courage is about being willing to discuss difficult issues and resolve problems,” he said.
Dr Wee said education, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), as well as technology, were central to MCA’s contribution to the agenda.
He cited Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) and Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) as examples of the party’s efforts to expand access to education.
UTAR was officially launched in 2002, while TAR UMT traces its roots to TAR College, established in 1969.
Malaysia, he said, must equip its people with skills for a rapidly changing economy, including in artificial intelligence.
“We do not only want to compete. We want to be competitive,” he said, adding that Malaysians should seek to master knowledge, create technology and apply it, rather than merely use innovations developed elsewhere.
On taxation, Dr Wee said policies must be transparent, orderly and capable of strengthening the economy without unduly burdening the people.
He said e-invoicing could improve tax administration and compliance, and called for policies that would strengthen government revenue and economic efficiency.
Dr Wee also said peace, security, stable homes and economic opportunities remained important concerns for the Chinese community.
Referring to MCA founder Tun Tan Cheng Lock’s “One Country, One People” vision, he said Chinese Malaysians wanted to "luodi shenggen", or take root in Malaysia.
This meant being loyal to the country while living in peace, practising their culture and earning a livelihood, he said.
He also referred to "anju leye", which means living and working in peace and contentment.
“These are the aspirations of Malaysians: to live peacefully, have a stable home, earn a living and build a better future for their children,” he said.
