Outgoing MCA president Ong Ka Ting said the public perceives that Umno is the dominant member of Barisan Nasional and that the coalition’s ‘power sharing’ concept was not effective.
“Now, there is a situation which is not right and needs to be rectified. A lot of people have the perception that the BN power sharing was not effective and not practiced according to its original principles.
“Umno is seen as a party which is far more dominant than other component parties,” said Ong, adding that BN leaders must rectify the situation and allow component parties to participate in making important decisions.
“It shouldn’t look like as though Umno (is the sole) decider in important policies while other parties are (merely) asked to defend (the policies) to uphold the BN spirit.
“The power sharing slogan is often used and (but) it is deemed lip service,” he added.
Ong said this in his policy speech at the 55th MCA annual general assembly which was attended by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Najib Abdul Razak.
‘Racial politics disgust voters’
Ong also outlined seven reasons why the party was almost decimated during the March 8 general election. Among them were the government’s failure to stem corruption, rising crime and inflation.
However his most hard hitting comments were on the negative vibes on race relations when he said that voters were turned off by racial politicking and arrogance shown by certain BN leaders.
“They (voters) are disgusted and angry by some BN politicians who are ‘arrogant’ and feel uneasy when (they hear) statements and speeches with racial undertones or threats on other races.
“There are also politicians who appear to have amassed a lot of wealth not long after holding posts in a party or after they become local government councillors,” he said.
Another reason outlined by Ong was that voters were unhappy with how religious issues are being handled by the authorities, which gave the impression that religious freedom does not exist.
He cited the example of how complications occur when a marriage between a non-Muslim and a Muslim ends in divorce prompting tussles over custodial rights, religion of children and the division of property.
“When such matters are referred to the authorities, the outcome seems that the issue cannot be handled in a way which reflects religious freedom,” said Ong, to loud applause from the gallery.
He suggested to the premier and his deputy to amend the laws, and even possibly the Federal Constitution, to resolve such problems “once and for all”.
Remove equity requirements
Ong also urged the government to review weaknesses in the implementation of economic policies in other to liberalise the economy and allow Malaysia to become more competitive.
He suggested that the government should immediately stop issuance of government contracts through direct negotiation to companies with no track record.
“Economic policies should also be liberalised further and equity requirements which limits development should be revoked to allow Malaysian companies to become more competitive,” he added.
While no specific examples given, Ong could be referring to the requirement for foreign companies to fulfil the 30 percent bumiputera rule.
Ong’s seventh and final reason for BN’s loss in popularity was the government’s lack of development and funding for Chinese and Tamil schools.
“Now, there is a situation which is not right and needs to be rectified. A lot of people have the perception that the BN power sharing was not effective and not practiced according to its original principles.
“Umno is seen as a party which is far more dominant than other component parties,” said Ong, adding that BN leaders must rectify the situation and allow component parties to participate in making important decisions.
“It shouldn’t look like as though Umno (is the sole) decider in important policies while other parties are (merely) asked to defend (the policies) to uphold the BN spirit.
“The power sharing slogan is often used and (but) it is deemed lip service,” he added.Ong said this in his policy speech at the 55th MCA annual general assembly which was attended by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Najib Abdul Razak.
‘Racial politics disgust voters’
Ong also outlined seven reasons why the party was almost decimated during the March 8 general election. Among them were the government’s failure to stem corruption, rising crime and inflation.
However his most hard hitting comments were on the negative vibes on race relations when he said that voters were turned off by racial politicking and arrogance shown by certain BN leaders.
“They (voters) are disgusted and angry by some BN politicians who are ‘arrogant’ and feel uneasy when (they hear) statements and speeches with racial undertones or threats on other races.
“There are also politicians who appear to have amassed a lot of wealth not long after holding posts in a party or after they become local government councillors,” he said.
Another reason outlined by Ong was that voters were unhappy with how religious issues are being handled by the authorities, which gave the impression that religious freedom does not exist.
He cited the example of how complications occur when a marriage between a non-Muslim and a Muslim ends in divorce prompting tussles over custodial rights, religion of children and the division of property.
“When such matters are referred to the authorities, the outcome seems that the issue cannot be handled in a way which reflects religious freedom,” said Ong, to loud applause from the gallery.
He suggested to the premier and his deputy to amend the laws, and even possibly the Federal Constitution, to resolve such problems “once and for all”.
Remove equity requirements
Ong also urged the government to review weaknesses in the implementation of economic policies in other to liberalise the economy and allow Malaysia to become more competitive.
He suggested that the government should immediately stop issuance of government contracts through direct negotiation to companies with no track record.“Economic policies should also be liberalised further and equity requirements which limits development should be revoked to allow Malaysian companies to become more competitive,” he added.
While no specific examples given, Ong could be referring to the requirement for foreign companies to fulfil the 30 percent bumiputera rule.
Ong’s seventh and final reason for BN’s loss in popularity was the government’s lack of development and funding for Chinese and Tamil schools.
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