'Teach Chinese youths to be patriotic'

 

Instead of treading on the sensitive issue of power sharing, an Umno leader has urged MCA Youth to focus on inculcating patriotism among the younger generation of Chinese Malaysians.

Syed Ali Alhabshee referred to how Chinese youths purportedly used the social media to hurl criticisms at the nation's leaders and Islam.

"MCA Youth must concentrate on attracting the support of Chinese youths for BN, they must increase the number of civic-based programmes for the youths, especially to be more patriotic to their motherland.

"Nowadays, many Chinese youths use the social media to criticise the prime minister, leaders and Islam which is the official religion of this country," he said.

The Cheras Umno division chief was responding to MCA Youth chief Chong Sin Woon's speech at the wing's annual meet which sought a review of the power sharing formula.

Urging MCA Youth to refrain from "talking about things which should not be done", Syed Ali told the wing to look ahead on how to appreciate the spirit of loving this nation.

"Power sharing does not only involve the interests of the Chinese but also others such as Indians, Iban, Kadazan and Murut who are treated equally and fairly by BN," he added.

He said Chong should devise methods to win back Chinese support for BN and not attempt to be a communal hero by raising sensitive issues which make others think that the MCA Youth chief is echoing the call of DAP for a "Malaysian Malaysia".

Syed Ali noted that the power sharing formula practiced by BN has solidified unity, where none of the races are sidelined and all can reap the fruits of mainstream development.

"Through this power sharing formula, the Chinese were successful in garnering economic opportunities without jealously from other races," he added.

'Don't be a thorn in the flesh'

As for MCA, the Umno leader said the party should not to be a thorn in the flesh for BN and its leaders must stop behaving like DAP when it concerns racial issues.

Syed Ali also commended Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for hitting the nail on the head during his speech at the MCA annual meet yesterday.

"MCA must not ask for things to the point of making Umno members anxious.

"What the PM said about the Chinese community's perception of playing charades and being a thorn in the flesh have been tracked since the last two general elections," he said.

He also castigated MCA leaders for only showing their faces at Umno and BN programmes without putting forth programmes for their community.

Furthermore, he claimed that a handful of MCA leaders speak as if they were DAP members when touching on issues of race.

He said this must be avoided to prevent Umno members misunderstanding and concluding that MCA is only working for its self interest without making attempts to bring back Chinese voters into the BN fold.

"MCA leaders should not only show their faces at Umno and BN programmes but also work towards winning the hearts and defending the Chinese in this country

"GE14 will take place in a few years but what I observed during the recent Pengkalan Kubor by-election, MCA did not seem to work hard enough in courting Chinese voters," he added.

Syed Ali said MCA cannot be forever relying on Umno's campaign and efforts to ensure that its candidates win in the elections.

The Umno leader also said that under Najib, the government has never sidelined the interests of any races, including that of the Chinese.

Whenever there are general elections or by-elections, he said the BN government would attempt to realise the community's demands.

"Unfortunately, when the decisions (on the demands) are announced, the Chinese will vote Pakatan Rakyat.

"MCA must be honest and genuine in its struggle with BN. What the PM said yesterday has basis. BN needs for support from the Chinese community...," he added.