Vote wisely, Malaysians

THE date is set. GE14 is happening on May 9.

With the general election looming large, it’s a struggle as everyone is bombarded with all things GE-related. Be prepared for a sensory overload of blog posts, e-mails, videos, SMSes and social media comments.

Politicians have an obligation to fulfil the promises they make to their constituents. There is no room for selfish ambition. There may be obstacles, other priorities and sometimes situations that necessitate a need to refocus, but every step we take is part of a journey to get to where we want to be and it must be full of purpose.

My chief concern is whether Malaysians can remain level-headed and consider carefully all the information presented before going out to make their voices heard and their votes count.

It is no surprise that certain parties manipulate the people’s emotions on a handful of issues, hoping to divert and distract them from the Government’s achievements.

As the Opposition continues to sow seeds of doubt, bitterness and hatred towards the Government, one must reflect on whether these petty attributes are the right tools for nation-building. It is easier to tear down than to build up.

Make no mistake. The Opposition’s modus operandi is cunningly devious. It often weaves stories to distract people from targeting its own weaknesses.

But think about it: Has the Opposition ever answered any of the questions raised as transparently as it demands of others? Even those within its own ranks who question certain leaders are immediately censured and ostracised.

The Opposition leaders preach accountability and transparency, but they have failed to practise it themselves. And the Opposition is plagued by nepotism. One really needs to question whether it exists to serve the community and nation or merely its kith and kin, and to preserve its personal convictions and commitments.

It’s commonly understood that MCA is the voice of the Chinese. The reality is that MCA is the voice of balance, that is, the balance between the many races, cultures, languages and religions in this melting pot we call Malaysia.

The MCA constitution is designed specifically to serve all Malaysians – and we are doing that as consensus is alive and well in the Barisan Nasional coalition. In these changing times, this balance must emerge as the cornerstone of our society’s development.

As tensions flare amongst various groups and our demographics evolve, MCA’s stance of moderation must not be reduced. We must be allowed to continue to serve as an essential pillar in the country’s foundation.

Many things could have been done better. The last general election shrank our voice in Parliament. Despite a torrent of challenges and criticism hurled at us, we have continued serving the people to the best of our abilities.

As small as our voice is now, we have never given up trying to speak up for the people. The hard truth is that a small voice in a crowded room is often drowned out.

In contrast, the Opposition, bestowed with a louder voice by the people, shrieks arrogantly and peddles its populist rhetoric without actually effecting any benefit for the people. That kind of sensationalism makes for good drama, but it will not get the job done.

A declining place in Parliament will hinder our growth as a community. The success we have accomplished is at stake. You must care about our heritage, our legacy and our rightful place in the country.

The voices calling for the destruction of MCA are the same ones that claim to champion a balanced system. How can destroying MCA achieve this balance? These self-serving parties seek to eliminate their competition in order to establish a totalitarian regime headed by hereditary leaders and nepotism. Where is the balance?

Instead of articulating what it can do for the community and country, the Opposition has consistently exploited people’s emotions to win them over.

Its poor service record speaks volumes as its leaders hop, skip and jump from seat to seat to avoid the outcome of their non-commitment to their constituents. They blame others for things they see as wrong, while hiding their duplicitous nature behind their outrageous sales pitches and the confidence that they have the people in their pockets.

I won my seat in Bentong by 12,549 votes in 2008 and only 379 votes in 2013 amidst accusations of blackouts and other such lies. I commend Wong Tack for admitting there was never a blackout. (Wong stood against Liow in GE13.)

The reporter from Astro AEC has also since apologised for his false and biased reporting. That fake news nightmare, however, continues to be used against me today.

At a recent DAP ceramah, Wong hypocritically chose to revisit the “blackout” fake news by advising people to come armed with torches when casting their votes. It is sad to see that the Opposition continues to use malicious lies and rumours to build its platform. Its leaders joke about everything in their mean-spirited campaign speeches when they should be focusing on nation-building.

My immediate response to the significantly decreased majority was not to abandon ship, shirk my duty or turn my back on the people of Bentong. Instead, I saw it as an opportunity to work harder to serve them, remain committed and help them in every way possible. My intentions have always been genuine.

Truth be told, no one is perfect. Governing a country like Malaysia, with its mixed communities, cultures, religions and values, is no easy task. No matter what our differences and perspectives, every citizen wants a stable, peaceful and moderate nation. We love our country and we are proud to be Malaysians.

As I lead MCA into this general election for the first time, my commitment is to keep championing a better future for the people. I have no other agenda. We all want fair play. Give us a louder voice, give us a larger mandate. I promise you will hear us roar.

I believe in sustained economic progress, security, better living conditions, improved education, affordable housing and accessible healthcare. These are the everyday dreams of the common Malaysian – and we deserve it.

The stakes are high for the coming election. GE14 will be a seminal spark in the history of Malaysia. It will be yet another step in our journey. Unity, harmony and prosperity can only be achieved with the spirit of consensus that is the essence of Barisan Nasional.

Think hard, vote wisely. Don’t be swayed by emotional rhetoric. It’s your future, your destiny. Our future will only be decided by you.

Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai is MCA president and Minister of Transport Malaysia. The views expressed here are entirely the writer’s own.