Educational Opportunities for non-Bumiputra students/ 给非土著生平等的教育机会

在政治领域里，平等的教育机会一直被视为敏感的课题。当政府落实新经济政策，也同时推行“优先照顾土著”的教育政策, 这使非土著非常不满. 对许多马来领袖而言，教育是他们推进土著进步和重组社会的最有效工具。政府厚此薄彼的政策无形中剥夺了非土著享有同等教育的机会，也促成许多年轻人才外流。

马华要说服巫统领袖更公平和民主处理教育政策并非容易。我们认同需要助土著同胞一臂之力，但在提供高等教育、奖学金和专业培训方面，不能为了帮助土著而剥夺非土著同享的机会。当初，政府虽然决定以固打和绩效制作为大专入学遴选标准，但在实行方面却出现偏差。有关当局以相同的遴选准则评估大马高级教育文凭（STPM）非土著考生和大学预科（matriculation）土著生是不公平的。大家都很清楚，这两项课程纲要、考试模式和程度都有很大区别：大学预科班的评估基础为平日课业和月检成绩，大马高级教育文凭则一考成定局，而且难度颇高。把两组不同程度的申请者集在一块儿做比较，所产生的遴选结果当然无法让人信服。换言之，绩效制内也存双重标准，叫人民如何对政府的政策有信心?

无论如何，最近我们看到本地大学对非土著生尤其是华裔生的录取率有明显上升。政府也开放大学预科班的10％学额予非土著生，让有意进入本地大学教育的非土著生有一个新途径。尽管如此，10％学额毕竟非常有限，在僧多粥少的情况下，这项措施再度让非土著生心生不满。

至于公共服务局发出的奖学金，据了解，近年来成功获得该局奖学金的华裔生人数也增加不少，去年有逾500人获得此奖学金。在2000年以前，每年只有约10名华裔申请者成功。虽然情况获得改善，但没什么值得雀跃的，因为由玛拉和通过官方其他管道赞助的土著生人数，远远超过以上数目。因此，我们无需惊讶在一个土著家庭里，所有的孩子都获政府赞助在国外留学。

人民的信息已很确立：你可以帮助土著生，但不要剥夺非土著生应得的权益。这样做只会在新生代阶层酝酿更多不满政府的情绪！

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Equal educational opportunity has always been a sensitive and controversial subject in politics. When the government implemented the New Economic Policy, it also created the 'new educational policy' whereby preferential treatment was given to bumiputras, right up from primary to tertiary education. This has always been a sore point among non-bumis. To a lot of Malay leaders, education became a very effective social restructuring instrument to uplift the bumis. However, in their over zealousness, they have deprived deserving non-bumis of access to equal educational opportunities. This has created an exodus of bright young non-bumi from Malaysia to other countries since the early 70s looking for better oppotunities. Til today, there has not been any respite in this exodus.

It has been a difficult battle for MCA to convince UMNO leaders that they have to be fairer, more equitable and democratic in its educational policies. While we realize there is a need to help bumis, it should not be at the expense of depriving deserving non-bumi students, in terms of entering into tertiary education, special training and scholarships. When the government decided to do away with the quota system and introduced 'meritocracy' as the entry to the tertiary institution, we raised the fact that there was unfairness in that bumi students go through a matriculation course whereas non-bumi students go through the STPM. It is not the same yardstick of measurement since the matriculation course is based on coursework and monthly assessments; whereas the STPM exam is a one-off event and often a difficult exam to do well in. So, even in "meritocracy", it is not at a same level playing field.

However, we note that of late, the success rate of non-bumis, especially Chinese gaining entry into local tertiary institutions of higher learning has been on the uptrend. In order to placate the feelings of non-bumis, the government allowed 10% of non-bumi students into matriculation courses, but because of the limited seats available, this has also become another sore point for non-bumis although it represents a new avenue of entry into tertiary education. In a way, it is too little, too late.

As far as scholarships are concerned by JPA, the numbers of successful Chinese with JPA scholarship have also been on the uptrend, about 500 plus last year, way above the usual less than 10 before the year 2000. However, these numbers are way below that of bumi students sponsored by MARA and various other government linked initiatives. Hence, it is not surprising to find a whole bumi family where the children are holding government scholarship and studying overseas. You can help the bumi students but do not deprive deserving non-bumi students. It breeds anti-government feeling at a very young age. Imagine your classmate doing worse than you in class and yet getting a place ahead of you, who has performed better. How would you feel?

Government's subsidy for fuel and gas

In Malaysia, the government spends a huge amount of money to subsidize a lot of services in the country. Subsidy for fuel and gas is estimated to be about RM35 billion, healthcare services and educational sector would easily swallow another RM25 billion. This subsidy is given to everyone irrespective of his financial status.

Often, the rakyat is unaware of the element of subsidy by the government in daily life and the present mode in delivering subsidy is not equitable, benefiting the rich more than the poor. Who should rightly receive a bigger portion of the subsidy? The government should reveal how we ditch out the subsidy. A rich man who drives a Mercedes pays the same amount for petrol as a poor man using his motorbike; he pays the same electricity tariff as the one living in a low cost house. In the same way, the rich have access to medical healthcare just as the poor.

When the government abolishes examination fees for public exams, to the rich, its a pittance, but to the poor, it may be significant. The time has come for the government to give money directly to the poor and let the market forces determine the real value, especially for fuel and gas. The next question is what is regarded as the level which entitles them to directly receive money from the government. The poverty rate used by EPU of course is outdated. The EPU needs to study at what level a family receives a direct grant from government, annually or twice a year.

Assuming that there are 28 million people in Malaysia and a household of 4.5 members per family, we are talking about 6.2 million households. Assuming a rough figure of 25 percent people are entitled to aids, we are talking about 1.6million people that are entitled to receive grants from the government of RM10,000. With that, we are only talking about RM16 billion. In the case of fuel where the subsidy is about RM35 billion, theres a cost saving of RM19 billion and the poor is more appreciative what the government is doing for them in the time of rising prices and inflation. Poor households who will not burn that RM10,000 on petrol and electricity tariff, this amount becomes more meaningful to them. I will only talk about healthcare financing scheme at some other time. There is still a lot of justification to re-look on how government disburses the subsidy. I acknowledge that these assumptions are simplistic at best. Feel free with helpful suggestions and ideas.

MCA President as an ordinary backbencher, good or bad? 当总会长只是国会后座议员

The MCA President becoming an ordinary backbencher in the Parliament! To Ong Ka Ting, it is a huge sacrifice personally, supposedly so that he can spend time rebuilding party. One of the selling points of MCA during the general election to the Chinese community was that a vote for MCA = representation for the chinese community in the cabinet.

Today, as the most senior leader in MCA, OKT chose to opt out of the cabinet, purportedly to spend time to rebuild the party. However, it is glaringly obvious that this is his personal strategy and agenda to enable his brother to enter the cabinet, and at the same time, to strengthen himself within the party to face the party elections. This is obvious because the first thing he did was appoint himself as chairman of the Johor MCA. Despite the political tsunami that affected BN, BN and MCA Johor did creditably. 85 percent of MCA candidates won. Compare this Penang - KOSONG, Perak - not even 10%. Selangor more of the same! Negeri Sembilan in which he headed as the state chairman, well, its 1 state assembly seat out of 10 - and 'bungkus' all the parliamentary seats..

Since becoming the state chairman of Johor, some of his boys have been spreading the gospel truth that because he has taken over the state chairmanship, the support for him as President of MCA has gone up tremendously. Congratulations to President and MCA Johor as well as the Chinese community. Now, the question is, since his presence has boosted up the image of MCA and the Chinese community confidence towards MCA in Johor, why doesn't the president consider going to boost the other states like Perak, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan? Maybe he has no guts to go to a state which has a hostile environment towards MCA in order to rebuild the party, but would rather 'goyang kaki' and entrench himself, within the party, in Johor, a less hostile environment.

Also, if the MCA President, now being a backbencher in parliament and having submitted questions which was published in the press today which covers questions ranging from the security situation to Chinese schools clearly indicates that the president must have been sleeping as a Cabinet Minister for the last 8 years. Why ask these questions now when he had 8 years to do so? Or is it to seek publicity - to prove that now they can shout as loud as the opposition? It seems that after MCA has suffered its worst defeat ever, the MCA President is only reduced to asking questions in Parliament, rather than championing the rights of the Chinese community in the Cabinet. Don't blame Chinese for being disillusioned with MCA, many MCA leaders and members share the same feeling, but will not voice out due to the climate of fear in the party...

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今天，马华总会长只是一名普通的国会后座议员。

过去，马华一直强调“投选马华以确保内阁有华人代表”，而黄家定赢了大选却拒绝入阁出任部长，选当一个普通的议员以把时间放在重建党，对他个人而言是很大的牺牲。

今天，黄家定身为马华之首，扬言不当官是为了整顿党，但你我都了解这是总会长以退为进的策略，即保送其兄入阁，本身则巩固在党内的势力以应付党选，当他委任自己出任柔佛马华州联委会主席后，更彰显其司马昭之心。

在第12届全国大选，柔佛州国阵和马华的成绩最为理想，面对在野党和反风的攻势，85％的马华候选人仍成功守土和蝉联；反观其他州的马华队伍则不敌反风，槟城全军覆没、霹雳和雪兰莪州只剩10％以及他本身领导的森美兰只剩一州议员。

自从总会长坐镇柔州马华后，他的支持者认为主子已得天下，开始口出狂言。我恭喜总会长、恭喜柔州马华、恭喜华社。好了，既然总会长这么做（已）为马华为华社赢得好评，为马华加分，为何不趁势追击，考虑去打救霹雳、雪兰莪、森美兰等州呢？也许他没有勇气去面对四面楚歌的槟、霹、雪、森州马华。

有人在报章指总会长提呈国会会议的10个问题显示，黄家定在过去8年好像不太了解政府的操作，因为他所提问的事项，身为内阁部长应该有或可以取得相关的资料。今天，马华受到重创后，一党之首理应在最前线为华社争取，但他却只在后座议员的座位上提问。

不要责怪华社对马华失望，事实上很多马华领袖和党员也感同身受。

On Datuk Lee Kah Choon's decision...

I congratulate Datuk Lee Kah Choon for taking up the appointment. I managed to speak briefly with him on the phone after he announced his resignation from all party posts and once again yesterday. I admire and respect his decision. His intention is to serve the people of Penang and he can achieve this either through Gerakan or Pakatan Rakyat.

I was also told by Datuk Lee that remuneration is not a factor in influencing him to accept the offer since the amount that he receives is minimal. Since he resigned all party posts from Gerakan, he is only an ordinary Gerakan member and if his conscience is clear, I see no conflict of interest.

Of course, he’ll always be viewed with suspicion by other parties and it is up to Datuk Lee to prove that he is a professional and dedicated to his job. There is no need for people to be excited or condemn him. Malaysians must learn how to respect people’s personal decisions as I am sure he must have agonised long and hard over it. GOOD LUCK to Datuk Lee.

Upgrading of ACA to Malaysian Commission of Anti-Corruption

I welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement on ACA undergoing a revamp to make it more independent and transparent. Off hand, my random thoughts on this will be:

1) The integrity of officers in ACA is not based on quantity but quality. While pay is important, what is more important is dedication and to pursue their job without fear and favour;

2) The Advisory Board is still appointed by Prime Minister and whether this will ensure independence can be debated. The question is on what basis the Prime Minister appoints members to the board. In the same way, the Head of Commission is appointed by the King on the Prime Minister’s advice. Who gets to advice the Prime Minister is a logical question to ensure its independence. I notice this is often not discussed in the Cabinet. Advice to Prime Minister seems to be clouded in secrecy. Who are the people responsible in giving advice to the Prime Minister?

3) The ultimate decision to prosecute still lies with the Attorney-General and this will make him subject to political pressure.

蔡细歷：有心人滋扰‧“我频遭恶意短讯攻击”

前卫生部长兼马华副总会长拿督斯里蔡细歷说，过去两、三个月，他一直被恶意的短讯所攻击，有心人企图要通过这类短讯滋扰他。

他也否认南马週一（21日）流传一则引述《联合报》快讯，指他因色情光碟事件而於週一早上遭警方逮捕的短讯。

"这已不是第一次了，过去几个月都出现这些具恶意的短讯。我不会去理会的，更不会让它困扰我。"

蔡细歷於下午约3时30分接受星洲日报电话访问时，被询及有关短讯时，语气平淡。

他说，每当他公开批评马华领袖后，这类短讯便会出现，以致他把“政治议程”与有关短讯联想一起。

他表示已再三强调，他不会因为这光碟事件而影响他未来的生活，更不会成为他继续前进的困扰。

"这些有心人似乎是要通过这些不正確的短讯来困扰我."

指遭柔警方拘捕

在南马一些地区流传一则针对蔡细歷的短讯。有关短讯內容也引述《联合报》快讯，指柔州警方週一早上拘捕涉及性爱短片的马来西亚前卫生部长兼前马华副总会长蔡细歷，並援引刑事法典377A条文（违反自然的內体交媾）將他提控上新山法庭。

有关短讯也指蔡细歷过后获准由儿子拉美士国会议员蔡智勇以2万令吉保释金担保出外，新山地方法庭择定6月3日聆审此案。

不过，蔡细歷已否认这则短讯的真实性。

-星洲日报‧2008.04.22-

MCA in Pakatan Rakyat controlled states/ 写给在野的马华同志

人民联盟掌政槟城、吉打、霹雳、雪兰莪和吉兰丹后，这5州的马华组织士气和斗志萎靡，当地的马华领袖和党员陷入有史以来最低潮。马华从独立以来都在扮演执政的角色，瞬间变成在野党，我了解同志们都觉得泄气，一时之间也难以适从，但这一刻马华更加需要你们的支持和拥护，党需要大家团结冷静地渡过和面对这项打挑战。

从今天起，在人民联盟执政州属的马华,要适应和学习做一个称职、实际的反对党，监督和检视州政府的表现，确保他们履行选前立下的宣言和承诺。我们要继续协助解决地方性问题，虽然我承认这不是地方领袖最主要的角色。如我过去所强调，议员不该常年为地方问题疲于奔命，这种现象暴露了政府执行单位的拙劣效率。沟渠、街灯、道路，这都是议员该关注的，但督促和改进地方政府的办事效率，才是治本。

这次惨败也让给我们的代议士一个警惕：不要只为了选举而服务。虽然不在朝，我们也要继续服务民众，监督和批评人民联盟政府，扮演他们以前扮演的角色。在初时我们或会换来很多人不屑的眼神和反应，但同志们，你们要挺着要坚持，为了民众的利益，我们要化为有效的监督的力量，以实际行动帮助选民,让选民知道马华同志不会逃避责任，败选后就离弃他们。

各位同志，马华经历了有史以来最大的惨败, 大家不该在这个时候选择跳槽。如果不满领导层的领导，我们可以通过党选来决定和寻求改变。而在大选中落败的马华候选人，也无需仓促关闭服务中心，你们其实应该积极栽培接班人，让当地的马华组织能继续强大。马华虽然输了大半江山，但我们不能从此一蹶不振，我们要凭着强稳的组织结构和经验丰富的代表，善用这些优势和资源，改善弱点、继续服务，以重挽民心、扭转局势。

同志们，胜不骄, 败不馁。千万不要因此而灰心。一次失败不代表绝望，让我们从失败中谦卑学习，不断改进。马华要重新被认同，我们则需要改革，与时并进。同志们，让我们从失败的沮丧中苏醒，化悲愤为力量、以下助上重振马华；为了党未来的存荣，让我们一起重整步伐，向前踏步！

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For MCA leaders and members in Pakatan Rakyat (PR) controlled states the morale and the fighting spirit will probably be at a low. Now is the time for MCA members to stay united and calm to face this turn of events. Having been in the government since independence and suddenly finding themselves on the opposite side is never a pleasant role to play.

MCA must now adapt to play the role of a proper, functional opposition, i.e to monitor and scrutinise whether PR led governments merely pay lip service to their manifestos or do they really walk the talk.

Local problems will also need to be solved and attended to (although I admit it is not the most important role) because inability to solve basic local problems is a reflection of a poor delivery system on the part of the government. In PR controlled states, we must improve the local delivery system so that there will be no ‘longkang’ wakil rakyats. MCA leaders must continue to serve and play the role of opposition members to point out PR's shortfalls. We must be prepared to criticize the same way the opposition criticized us when we were in government.

As for those who failed as candidates in the recent elections, they should try to groom successors before they hastily close down their service centres. We still have a good organizational structure and committed members and we should tap into these resources so that we continue to serve despite failure at being elected. We must and should serve not only because of elections. We should not think of party hopping during this time when the party needs us most. If we are not happy with the leadership, we can change it in the party election which is few months away from now.

We may meet resistance in providing service and that should spur us on to work harder. So comrades, don’t give up so easily. There is life after defeat. Defeat is a humbling and learning experience. We may be down but we surely learn a lot in times of defeat. So comrades, MOVE ON and ensure that the party changes if we are to remain relevant.

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<-星洲日报‧2008.04.22- >

蔡细歷在峇株巴辖以顾问身份受邀出席马华峇株巴辖区会召开的联席会议后，促请党领导层儘快及明確指示，在反对党执政州的马华区会、国州议员、市县议员及村长该如何运作及提供服务。

他认为，马华也有必要检討是否支持恢復地方政府选举制度，以让人民选出为他们服务的市县议员。

他表示，恢復地方政府选举制度向来是反对党的要求，现在我国有5个州属落入人民联盟手中，他们肯定会推荐自己的人选。

他也指出，国阵领袖往后必须懂得做好宣传，並且负起监督民盟州政府的工作，学会如何提出疑问、攻击、批评及指责，確保民盟实践竞选期间的诺言。

Thanks for sharing good article

Azmi Sharom, a columnist wrote in The Star :

“…The problem with the NEP, as I see it, is that it breeds a mentality of entitlement based on race and not merit. This mentality seeps into governance, and it creates an atmosphere of mediocrity. One example of this is how the Constitution has been disregarded in relation to employment issues.

The Federal Constitution states that you can set quotas at the entry points of government services, for example, the civil service and public universities. However, this is counter-balanced by Article 136 that says all federal employees must be treated fairly regardless of race.

This means that once inside a service, everyone is to be treated equally based on merit. In such a situation, only the cream will rise to the top.However, since the introduction of the NEP, the practice in government services has been to promote Malays mainly. This has in turn led to a drop in the number of non-Malay actors in the service of the public…”

For full text, view:

http://www.thestar.com.my/columnists/

I fully agree with what Azmi has written, especially with the problem of NEP, breeds a mentality of entitlement based on race and not merit. Because of this it has sort of created an atmosphere of no competition. In the same way, it is become dis-incentive to a large section of non Malay that they are not competing on a same level field and this may explained why there has been a net migration of talented young people, especially Non Malay, to neighboring countries especially Singapore.

I have said it openly before if all the doctors in Singapore and Australia back to serve in Malaysia , then we will solve the shortage of doctors which seem to be a perennial problem in this country since we have achieved independence.

When I talk about an ethnic based party like MCA or UMNO and even MIC with a multi racial approach, I am saying that we should not just be concerned with our own particular race but also all Malaysian. When we are championing the rights of the Chinese, we should also think and give consideration the effect of our action on the non Chinese (likewise from other component party). So if this multi-racial approach is adopted then I am sure Malaysia would be a better society.

Blogger kickdefella (kickdefella.wordpress.com) has written on the relevance of ethnic based party angled at UMNO and the Malay Community. Thanks to Jac for sharing this with me. Read his analysis at:

http://kickdefella.wordpress.com/2008/04/09/politik-berteraskan-ras-masih-releven/

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一位朋友向我推荐一位专栏作者的一篇文章，谢谢这位朋友。我也在此连接，与大家分享： http://www.thestar.com.my/columnists/

作者在文中提及新经济政策衍生的问题，其中包括孕育了"种族为先而非绩效考量"的思维。我很同意他的说法, 这种思维，间接在马来同胞圈子内形成一个无需竞争的生存环境。另一边厢，非马来同胞得命运却迴同，因为不满没有公平竞争，我国大量人才，尤其是非马来人选择移居海外，邻国新加坡就是其中一个大量吸纳我国贤才的国家。

我也公开说过，如果在新加坡和澳洲工作的大马医生愿意回流，即能一劳永逸地解决国内严缺医药专才的问题。 我所主张的“单元种族政党浇以跨种族概念施政”，强调不管是马华、巫统或印度国大党，都不能继续抱持自扫门前雪的观念，只处理单一族群的问题，这些政党必须要照顾全民、顾及所有种族的需求。我们为华裔族群争取的过程中，也要考虑有关决定对非华裔同胞的影响和将引发的后果（其他成员党也应如此）。 我深信，不管是单一族群或多元种族的政党，只要发挥对各族同胞需求的体凉，实践跨种族施政概念，都能打造更和睦的马来西亚社会。

对了，大家若想听听其他人对族群政治的看法，可以到以下连接网址看看, 这是一位部落客从巫统和马来社会角度，对族群政治写的一篇分析评论：http://kickdefella.wordpress.com/2008/04/09/politik-berteraskan-ras-masih,-releven/

Reply to comments on media topic/ 回应留言

Thank you for responding about the press and media freedom.

For a long time, the conventional wisdom was that as a political party and when you control the media, you can actually shape the opinion of the public, so as to be favorable to you, or your policies. Unfortunately, over the years, most political parties are so used to it and have become complacent.

The presence of new media, has provided alternative channels for desemination of information, which, may not necessarily be true. However, it does give a different version compared to what is reported in the main stream media. This neglect of the importance of new media is obvious especially from BN parties. Part of the success of the Opposition is that they fully utilized the new media which has a substantial following, without the BN knowing about it because they are so used and so dependent on the traditional media to convey their message.

Of course, political spinning and sugar coating government policies has been such an old practice that politicians have forgotten that the rakyat have changed because of education, and with the advent of the new media, people have alternative sources of information which because it is new, provides excitement and also opportunity for them to read what they preceive as truth. In short, the rakyat have moved forward as far as reading habits are concerned, while politicians are mired in the traditional or mainstream media.

MCA was thrown into a crisis in our purchase of Nanyang Press. Of course shareholding has been reduced substantially, if I am not mistaken MCA has only 20% left in the star, which is regarded as the jewel in the assets owned by MCA because of the dividend received. Again I have said that probably there is a need to relook at this shareholding, if ownership of these newspapers in anyway caused rakyat to shun these 2 newspapers and affect people’s confidence in MCA.

About the media...It is a huge topic where we will have neverending discussions and arguments. I have already said again and again, that what is reported in the new media, we have to read in between the lines in the same way as the main stream media. For wider perspective and justification, READ BOTH.

Here, we have a different point of view on mainstream media:
http://www.malaysiainsider.com/mni/did-you-get-that-sms-to-boycott-newspapers-dont-heed-it-what-we-need-is-more-newspapers.html

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谢谢大家踊跃提出意见。

前一篇“主流媒体vs新媒体”引起大家热烈讨论，可见大家对媒体认知的程度和态度的大跃进。过去，政党有一种传统的观念，以为控制媒介能塑造公众的观点、掌控民意倾向。更可悲的是，大多数政党多年来惯性操纵媒体而渐渐失焦，还自鸣得意。新媒体在我国非突然崛起，只是我们不以为意。尽管它的讯息不一定准确，但却为人民提供主流媒体以外的资讯平台。国阵忽视了新媒体的重要和影响力，而在野党则充分善用为他们传递信息，而且奏效。

政府的糖果政策已经不管用了，但由于政治人物已经习惯这种方式，没有意识到随着教育普及和水平提升，人民的视野思维已经改变，人民懂得应用新科技汲取资讯，多角度探索每一件事，无疆界的新媒体资讯世界，给了读者另一个选择。总括来说，今天人民的阅读习惯已经改变，而国阵政治人，物却还停留在主流媒体左右大局的思维，无法顺应趋势。

马华当年爆发的党争，收购南洋报业事件是最具争议的课题，AB两队一度僵持不下。马华曾是该报业的主要股东，不过，党的股权到后来已大幅度递减，我所了解的是目前马华在南洋报业控股只有20％股权。至于星报，因让马华赚取可观的股息，所以一直被视为马华资产中的明珠。无论如何，如我早前所声明，如果马华的收购行动是导致有关报业的公信力滑落，马华应该正视和作出检讨。

关于媒体，我不想进行无休止的争辩，而且也没有必要去争辩。因为我认为每一个读者或观众都有智慧去辨别和分析任何形式媒体资讯的虚实。我还是那一句，不能只靠单一管道汲取资讯，更不能尽信单一媒体。正确的心态应该是客观看待每一个媒体报道，才能掌握更多层面的资讯让自己从不同角度进行分析。

在这里，我想和大家分享一则不错的评论：
http://www.malaysiainsider.com/mni/did-you-get-that-sms-to-boycott-newspapers-dont-heed-it-what-we-need-is-more-newspapers.html

向巫统呛声的最佳时机 This is the best time to re-negotiate with UMNO

副首相拿督斯理 纳吉周三对媒体公开指出，巫统会定时与国阵成员党交流，听取各党有关各族选民的心声。我在昨日，也就是4月17日发表了一篇文告。

我说，随着巫统领导层公开认同非马来选票的重要性，巫统看起来并非对在大选中大量流失非马来选票而无动于衷。在这个时刻，马华应把握此机会向巫统传达非马来选民的心声，并要他们确保这些心声受到重视。

我想，纳吉开促请国阵特别是巫统要确保得到非马来人的支持，这显示巫统对过去自负的傲慢态度开始醒觉。针对纳吉的决定和言论我当然表示欢迎，因为巫统领袖开始了解，非马来人的选票已不再是国阵选区尤其是混合选区的铁票。

第12届全国大选以前，国阵一直视混合选区为安全区，因为这些选区的成绩往往都很理想。这促使许多巫统的议员忽略了对非马来人的照顾，特别是教育、宗教、文化方面的拨款，而这些拨款通常要靠华裔政党和华社来获取。可是，这次大选的成绩打破了混合选区不败的规律，因为反风所致，混合选区反变为危险区，国阵在全国的53个混合选区只赢了12席，非马来人的选票成了决定性的因素。

我相信，混合选区严重挫败是促使巫统领导层有所觉悟的关键因素，该党领袖因此开始重视非马来人的选票。我身为马华基层领袖，希望马华领导层能把握此机会，坦诚和有效地向巫统反映华裔选民的不满和需求，以确保马华和巫统在未来的合作，能达到华裔选民的期望。因为，马来西亚已开始趋向跨种族政治，国阵必须要和人民联盟竞争，以表现争取人民的选票和委托，因此，平等对待非马来人的需求是迈向多元种族施政概念的最佳起点。

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Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib had pointed out in public that UMNO would have meetings with other BN component parties at least once a month to obtain opinions of non-Malay voters through BN components parties. With that said, I had also issued a statement in Chinese newspapers on 17th April.

In the statement, I said that although there are recognition by UMNO leadership the importance of non-Malay votes, they are still concerned for the lost of Malay votes during the election. During this period, MCA should grab the chance to deliver the voices of non-Malay voters to UMNO and want them to ensure that these voices are prioritized.

I think Datuk Seri Najib has openly urged BN, especially UMNO to ensure that they acquire the support from non-Malay voters and this shows that in the past, UMNO’s arrogant attitude has started to wake up from its dream. Of course I welcome Datuk Seri Najib’s statement and decision because UMNO leaders have finally understood that non-Malay votes are not guaranteed in BN constituencies, especially in mixed areas.

Before the 12th General Election, BN has viewed mixed areas as safe constituencies because the past results in these areas had always been positive. Because of this, a lot of UMNO MPs and state assemblymen overlooked the concern and care to non-Malay voters, especially in education, religion, and fund allocation for cultural activities (these funds can only be obtained through Chinese-based political party and Chinese Associations). This time’s election result has shown that the anti-government wave broke through the tradition of safe mixed areas. In the 53 BN mixed areas, we’ve only won 12 seats and non-Malay votes became the decisive factor.

I believe that the major defeat in mixed areas has caused UMNO leadership to wake up and therefore, UMNO leaders have started to pay more attention to non-Malay votes. As a MCA grassroots leader, I hope that MCA leadership will grab hold of this chance to sincerely and effectively reflect Chinese voters’ dissatisfaction and requests to UMNO. This will ensure that MCA and UMNO’s future cooperation to meet the expectation of Chinese voters.

Therefore, when Malaysians has started to walk towards a multiracial politics, BN has to compete with Pakatan Rakyat. BN must use their performance to gain rakyat’s votes and their consent. In consequence with that, the first step towards a multiracial concept is to treat requests and needs from non-Malay fairly.

Mainstream Media vs New Media

新媒体真的颠覆了我国的主流媒体的角色吗？

主流或非主流，所有媒体都应该对它们的报道负责；不管是主流媒体或新媒体，也都应该享有同等的媒体自由。当我们指责主流媒体处理新闻态度不公，倾向或偏袒政府之际，我们也不能以为新媒体所传递的讯息都是事实，当中，或有虚构或误导性的讯息。不过，无可否认新媒体是人们传达己见的最大管道。

我对媒体的看法是，要仔细了解深入解读所有媒体的报道，不能选择性接收片面的讯息，这样才能有效判断和监督各媒体的言论。国阵最大的错误之一是忽略了新媒体的舆论，对于不属实的报道也不加以驳斥，是因为国阵一厢情愿地以为，人民也和国阵一样，不会接触新媒体吗？

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Should we fully trust new media and desert mainstream media?

There are a lot of misleading statements and falsehood in the new media. Of course, it is an avenue for the people to express themselves. We should read between the lines as what has been expressed in all media.

One of the biggest failures of BN is that it is not countering what they’ve said in new media. BN think people don’t read the new media?

Racial politics with a multiracial outlook?

While we should ideally move away from racial politics, we should not; as I again emphasize, be too fast to jump into a conclusion that racial politics is history. In the recent elections, when the Chinese voted for PAS, was it a vote of belief in PAS where they really supported PAS? Or was it a protest vote against MCA and BN? In the same way when the Malays voted for DAP, was it a commitment towards DAP or was it a vote to show their unhappiness towards UMNO and BN? I'm still very guarded into drawing any firm conclusions as yet.

Of course, the outburst by the Kelantan royalty is much regretted. While all non-Malays are against him, sincerely I believe most Malays are for it. Racial politics will always raise its ugly head when it is convenient to the interested party. Can Anwar really withstand the Malay backlash if his party has no Malay agenda?

All Chinese are for a Malaysian agenda. I fully agree that MCA should not be talking about everything Chinese, from Chinese schools, Chinese temples to Chinese villages and Mandarin speaking. That is Ong Ka Ting's brand of politics within the party.

While we are a Chinese based party, we should adapt a more multiracial outlook. Besides championing our needs, Malaysian problems are also MCA problems. MCAs top leadership has been very quiet with regards to the Hindraf issue, Lingam tape and other high profile contemporary issues. MCA in having a multiracial approach is going to make a lot more sense now, especially since in an apparent paradigm shift in malaysian politics, it probably needs more multiracial support to ensure victory in subsequent elections.

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关于马华的存在意义、关于种族政治，我在这里读到很多不同的看法。
理论上，我国的政治体系应淡化种族色彩，朝向更民主和平等。不过，我还是认为不该太早下定论，说种族政治已被瓦解、或说种族政治已在大马消失、已成为历史，这一切似乎还言之过早。

大家扪心自问，在刚过的全国大选，华裔选民是因为相信和支持回教党，而把票投给他们吗？还是为了向马华和国阵抗议？同样的，当马来选民投选民主行动党，他们真的认同这个党吗？还是只为了宣泄对巫统和国阵不满？

当然，吉兰丹王储措词强烈对非马来人发飙，此举令人觉得遗憾。所有非马来人肯定会对丹州王储的言论不悦，惟我相信马来同胞却深深认同。换个方式说吧，凡事一体两面，好坏并存，种族政治也亦然。当只有一个或特定的群体得享利益时，种族政治就被视为丑陋的。话说回头，如果安华的党完全不谈马来议程，他能承受马来党员起哄吗？他在党内还站得住脚吗？

我绝对同意马华不应该只谈论华社课题，我们的斗争不该只围绕华小、神庙、华人新村以及华语。那是黄家定在党内的政治品牌。马华虽是个华基政党，但在履行人民委托时应该关注各族的同等权益。照顾华社和全体马来西亚人民的需求，马华责无旁贷。而对兴都权益运动HINDRAF、林甘司法短片及其他涉嫌政府高官的舞弊案，马华应该表明看法和立场，不能再像过去一样保持沉默，静悄不语。

Media Freedom/ 媒体自由

The credibility of traditional media has taken a bashing in this recently concluded general election. We should now pay more attention to the new media (sms, blog, and internet) since many people are able to access it easily. Athough the information derived from the 'new media' might have been less than accurate at times, people trusted it more than the mainstream media. This is something that we need to come to grips with in order to connect to todays rakyat.

Our neglect of the new media has caused us dearly in the just concluded election. Every Malaysian welcomes more press freedom with responsibility. As stated in a survey earlier this year, Malaysia's press freedom has plunged from 92nd place in year 2006 to 124th place in 2007. This has caused people to start questioning the freedom and credibility of our press, especially in the context of the recent elections. The coverage was in fact, glaringly obviously bordering on propoganda. People have received emails to boycott The Star newspaper as it was claimed in the forwarded emails to contain news that were more pro-government and anti-opposition party.

Therefore, the time has come for political parties to re-look their share holdings in the mainstream media. This includes the MCA-controlled The Star newspaper and its shareholdings in Nanyang press. Should the MCA continue to hold shares in the above said newspapers or to divest them in order to restore a degree of independance to them. I welcome your comments.

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时代的步伐不断向前跃进，今天我们已进入瞬息万千的电子资讯时代。随着电脑、网际网络普及化，电子报、部落格、手机短讯等新兴科技媒体几乎颠覆了传统媒体在过去50年来的角色和功能，人民特别是新生代对这些新媒体的应用和信赖，也使传统媒体的公信力受到挑战。

今天，许多选民都选择相信这些新媒体甚于报章、广播等主流媒体，尽管当中一些资讯来源并不翔实或据误导成分。有不少领袖在大选后，承认“忽略”了电子战的效应，也因忽视了新媒体的崛起，以致民意无法有效“上达”。

我们已经在资讯发达的时代。接受与否，电子媒体的覆盖网络和影响只有继续扩大，我们必须了解它、认识它、进而善用它，这样才能更有效地接近新生代选民，和他们建立互动，马华和国阵应该接受新媒体的出现，对待所有媒体需一视同仁。在刚落幕的大选，国阵通过主流媒体刊登、广播宣传广告，引起选民不满，认为主流媒体一面倒亲国阵政府，民间更出现杯葛星报的举动，这些都直接反映人民对媒体言论的要求。

今天，人民要求更大的知情权，更多的言论自由。因此，我认为，各政党有必要检讨他们在媒体集团里的股权，这包括马华入股的星报和南洋商报。

“分析大选，探讨未来”论坛 "Analysing the general election, discussing the future - Part 1

上周六，也就是4月11日，我出席由槟城韩江同学会主办的“分析大选，探讨未来”政治论坛。我在会上强调，身为国阵成员党的马华必须先改变自己，才能纠正国阵。我认为，我们可以批评巫统，但不要推卸责任，输了民心，马华也有责任。在会上，我强调:

• 国阵经历了前所未有的惨败，现在是时候进行自我检讨，坦诚面对问题、剖析为何选民几乎一面倒拒绝国阵
  
• 领袖要拿出诚意，承认错误和弱点，领导层应对这次的败绩向党员道谦
• 国阵惨败，反对党阵线夺下多州政府政权，民主两线制刚形成。国阵要协助、配合人民进行监督
• 
  这次大选，面对大课题如贪污、滥权、通膨、宗教等累积的民怨，促使选民跨种族决定手中的一票。马华和国阵要反省对有关课题的处理手法
  
• 族群为基的政党最终会否完全消失，目前定论还言之过早。只要宪法规定的马来特权还存在，包括语言、国家宗教、州务大臣必须由马来人或回教徒出任等，巫基政党如巫统还是有它的角色
  
• 同样的，只要华裔族群继续强调母语教育、宗教、神庙，华基政党的角色还不能被否决。只是，国阵成员党间的合作必须改变，不能再延续过去的模式。马华斗争的大原则，必须以全民利益为出发点
  
• 民联政府实行的政权分享让全国人民大开眼界。例如在霹雳，虽然马来领袖出州务大臣，但华裔代表却主导州行政议会
  
• 马华必须重新检讨和巫统的关系，重新建立平等的合作关系。巫统必须剔除老大的思维，要谦虚、不自满
  
• 我们要紧记，今天人民有其他选择，巫统若要继续寻求全民的支持，就不能只谈马来人议程，相反的要一视同仁对待全民发展
  
• 靠拢和个人关系为基础的合作已不能被接受，人民要公平、民主、透明、不种族化及贯彻真正争取分享的国阵，而不是主仆关系和乞舍文化
  
• 人民投选了改革，所以马华要革新。这是不可否认的事实。调整斗争的方向和执行方式，要体现更果敢的处事态度，要敢怒敢言，敢做敢当

地方议会选举

关于地方议会选举，这是反对党争取选民支持的其中一项议程。

知易行难，基于一些因素，马华过去一直无法促成这项改革。今天，人民民主意识已抬头，他们要充分和有效发挥手中一票，包括要通过公投决定地方议会的代表。这是人民要求的改变，马华要了解。地方议会是最接近人民、和人民日常生活息息相关，实行地方议会选举、让地方居民决定他们的代表为社群服务，对国家发展进程和人民需求而言是非常合理的。

此外，许多马华地方领袖过去在民生服务方面经验丰富，表现不俗，同时奠下了广扩的联络网，这些都是马华地方领袖的优势。要实行这项改革确实阻力重重，不过，我觉得马华应该积极争取会恢复有关选举。

为了民主进程，为了更透明和有效的政府行政机制，我希望马华可以担当这个角色。

给党员

在槟城、霹雳、吉打、雪兰莪、吉兰丹几个州属，马华已不再是执政政府，我知道当地的党员和基层领袖还不能适应角色替换，不过我们必须从现在开始，学习如何扮演监督民盟州政府的工作：

• 马华失去了在州政府的行政权，但不代表我们就此消失。我们要接受选民的决定。我们要做的，是学习和扮演监督和制衡州政府的角色，确保他们履行职务，达到选民的期望
  
• 当然，最重要的是，在这艰难时刻，我希望党员能团结一致，携手重建马华，如果对任何一位领袖不满，应等到党选时进行了结。目前，我们应该继续大选前未完成的工作，以实际行动挽民心，以在下届大选重新寻求人民的委托
  
• 人民是以绩效评估政府和代表的表现，今天人民拒绝了国阵，若民盟政府表现不理想，相信人民也会公平判断
  
• 要重建党，首先要改变做起，我们要坦诚检讨和纠正党内的弱点，不能因为个人因素而牺牲大局的将来
  
• 重振党不能只靠几个人的力量，马华需要每一位党员的力量和自发性的合作，来促成整个党的改革。跳槽并不能解决事情

很多人认为马华和已经被选民尤其是华社唾弃。如果民主两线制是选民所要的，国阵就必须继续存在，而且要壮大，才能起制衡的效用，避免人民联盟一党坐大。

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A big thank you to Han Jiang Student Association for inviting me to be the panel speaker in the forum titled "Analysing General Election, Discussing the future". There were about 1000 turnouts in the forum and I now share with you some of the things that I've said during the forum.

During the forum, I stressed that after the defeat of BN, there is a need to do self examination of why voters rejected BN. We should have the courage to admit our mistakes and weaknesses and for leadership to apologize to their members for this defeat.

Since this time's voting cut across racial line, a lot of people would think that ethnic based political party like UMNO and MCA will soon become irrelevant. We seem to now have a 2 party system in the country, BN and Pakatan Rakyat (PR). PR-controlled state government will be watched by rakyat and BN to see how they perform in the coming years.

Ethnic-based political party will continue to have some relevance, but of course they need to change and reform. Voting this time has become non-racial because there are a lot of problems affecting every Malaysian and this include the inflation, corruption, abuse of power and religious issue. All these resulted in people wanting to teach BN government a lesson in the election. So, we should not be too fast to jump into conclusion that ethnic based political party will turn into political dinasour.

In a multiracial country like Malaysia, ethnic based political party still has a role to play. As long as Malay enjoys special rights, Islam is the official religion, head of state with the exception of Penang must be Malay/Muslim as stated in the constitution, there is still a role to be played by ethnic based political party even though our role will soon become more limited, unless rakyat start to view issues in a multiracial dimension. As long as there are Chinese who wants Chinese education, Chinese culture and Chinese temple, then there is a role for a Chinese-based political party.

Of course cooperation between BN component parties can never be the same as before. The concept of power sharing as practiced by PR in the state government is an eye opener to UMNO and MCA, moreover when the state government is dominated by Chinese although the Menteri Besar comes from Malay.

MCA needs to re-look at its relationship with UMNO. It has to be an equal status and equal right cooperation. The big brother mentality of UMNO has to go. UMNO leaders must begin to be humble, not to think that by default; they are the governing party. We must not forget that the rakyat has a choice today. If UMNO leader claim that he is leader of all races and not only Malay, then they should not just talk about Malay development agenda but national development agenda for all races. The idea that MCA must curry favour UMNO to get things done should be thrown out of window. Rakyat wants to see a BN government that is fair, democratic, transparent, non-racial and practices real power sharing and not a master in all relationships with other component parties. Then only can MCA be an efficient party in championing the rights of Chinese.

MCA must of course change and should be more multiracial in our outlook; instead of remaining as a Chinese-centric political party. We cannot be singing the same old tune of peace, stability and development since there is now the strong presence of opposition. With the opposition winning in the recently concluded election, this slogan will not sell anymore to the Chinese community. Voting for MCA will ensure Chinese representation in the cabinet and EXCO will also not sell anymore since they can now be representatives through PR.

MCA and wakil rakyats have this fixation that their job is to look after drains and garbage. Today people regard this as inefficiency of the local authority. Hence, our wakil rakyat need to do what the local authority should be doing but unable to do it well. Developing Chinese schools, relocation and funding has always been part of MCA's work. But today we need to do more. We should do things on a long term basis and we should have made announcements long before the general election.

MCA leaders need to be more vocal and high profile in championing our thoughts. Closed door meetings are no longer useful. Rakyat can accept a rise in political temperature because of racial issue. We must not be seen to only saying about Chinese right but must be seen to do it right. MCA cannot be seen to only concern about Chinese problems but should adapt to a more multiracial approach to all problems. Only by championing the cause of Chinese and all Malaysians will we then able to connect to rakyat. We must make our stand clear in issues affecting all Malaysians and not just Chinese. Hindraf is not just Indian's problem but also national issue. Then only MCA can project itself as a Chinese based party with a multiracial outlook.

In the PR controlled states, MCA found itself playing the role of opposition. It may not be easy for MCA members who are used to be a party in the government. So, we must learn how to monitor and to point out the short fall of the PR state government. MCA members must stay united and if they are not happy with the leadership, they have to wait until party election. It does not pay to blame anyone. We should continue to work to build up the good will and relationship established with local community. We must not forget if voters can throw us out, they will do the same to PR if they are not performing up to expectation. Jumping ship or hopping to other party will not solve MCA problem. We need your strength and your initiative to rebuild MCA.

The Star forum -New Politics in Post Election 2008

I was invited as the panel speaker for The Star forum titled "New Politics in Post Election 2008" sometime in March. Below are the excerpts of what I've said during the forum.

Nobody predicted that the anti-government wave would turn into a political tsunami that saw the BN losing its 2/3 majority in Parliament, 4 states (Penang, Kedah, Perak, Selangor), falling into the hands of opposition, make up of DAP, PAS and PKR. Kelantan remains in the hand of PAS.

For the BN and opposition party, political landscape is completely altered. It cannot be business as usual for both BN and opposition party. Of course, the shock and blame game will definitely start. What is clear is that if BN leadership is in denial syndrome, it will further erode the support for BN.

Since voting this time cut across racial line with Chinese voting for PAS, Malay voting for DAP and Indian deserting MIC, a few pertinent questions will be asked:

1) Will ethnic based political party (UMNO, MCA and MIC) become irrelevant?
2) If there is a strong show by opposition, will it be the start of 2 party system in Malaysia? BN versus coalition of PKR, DAP and PAS?
3) How opposition control state will perform in the next 5 years?

These are some of the very basic question that crosses my mind. I think ethnic based political party will still be part of the political landscape for years to come. We must not forget the dissatisfaction by the people towards the government also cut across racial line:
1) Inflation
2) Crime
3) Corruption
4) Poor government delivery system
5) Policies perceive only to favour a selected few
6) Government’s inability to handle sensitive issue

These issues affect Malaysia irrespective of race and people were united in sending these messages to the government to raise their dissatisfaction. Hence, we should not be too quick to jump into conclusion that politics from now on is race blind.

For MCA, as the 2nd largest component party in BN, there is a need for critical evaluation and examination in order to move forward. MCA still has a very good organization and structure throughout the country and we should tap into these resources in order to re-strategize and to re-brand as to project ourselves that we can really feel the pulse of the Chinese in a multiracial country like ours. To remain relevant, we cannot be singing the same old tune or supporting MCA and BN to ensure peace, stability and development. We cannot just be talking about Chinese schools development, new village development, UTAR and KTAR and that our Wakil Rakyat are good at providing basic services, looking after roads and drains. I’m not saying that these issues are not important. The Chinese want more in the 21st century. The time has come that we must know how to articulate Chinese frustrations from education opportunities, economy opportunities and government perceived indifferences in solving Chinese problems.

We need to be more vocal and convince the people that we can, that we know, that we are fighting for Chinese rights in the context of a multiracial country. We have to ensure fairness by government, especially in the implementation and delivery system, not just on scholarship, but participation in the expanding economy cake. The traditional closed door method of resolving matter is still relevant in very sensitive issues, but we must keep Chinese connected.

Apart from that, we must do more in the dissemination of information. Malaysia has moved towards the trend of Internet campaigning. We cannot depend too much on traditional mainstream media. The new media, from internet to blog, has not only been neglected by MCA but also by BN component party. Blog has been underutilized by MCA and component party. The opposition has fully utilized blogging and internet. During the 13-day campaign, Lim Kit Siang’s blog has high number of viewing and the user traffic flow is heavy. Voters, especially young voters are more prone to using internet rather than newspapers because it is more convenient and also serves as an alternative channel of which they think are giving them the truth.

Besides that, the attitude of MCA leadership of “we know what is best for Chinese” has caused publicity woes. We need more interaction, not only with members but with community at large. We hold a lot of functions, but often confined to own members. We do not know how to publicize ourselves. This is the time to open up. Opposition parties are good at publicizing our failure; the end result is that people connect failure with MCA rather than positive aspects. Reliance on traditional mainstream media and the political spinning done has been counter productive. The usual method of distributing goodies to Chinese schools on rebuild, relocation and expand has not gone down well with the Chinese community. The opposition has gone to town to say that the government has thought of Chinese education when they need Chinese votes. Chinese education issue should be resolved long before election date. Being a solely Chinese based party, we have to address Chinese problem in the context of multiracial society. We must impress among the Chinese that they are doing well, that they are not marginalized, that they are still part of mainstream economy development, our annual household income, poverty and unpoverty rate far lower among other races. We have also our problem that needs MCA and the government to resolve.

At this time, MCA members need to remain calm and united and have confidence in the leadership who are elected by the delegates. Of course I understand that there are possibilities of members defecting to the opposition parties. There will also be difficulties in recruiting new members, especially in opposition controlled state. MCA members need to work out as a team to face these challenges.

MCA being as a component party of BN can only do so much. UMNO dominated BN need to reinvent itself that may cut across racial line that will make MCA rebuild, work or exercise more effectively. UMNO cannot assume it is business as usual. Together we need to change.

Moving on to the opposition controlled states, it cannot be denied that they are facing major challenges on delivery of major promises.

1) Whether they can co-operate to administer the state, or continue bickering about who is the big brother.
2) Other than PAS, the rest of the opposition parties have no experience in administering state government. Of course you can learn but if you’re slow, you’ll be shown the door by the voters in the same way that they have done to BN.
3) Federal and State relationship will assume a new dimension, one of confrontation, or co-operation where it is politically convenient or working towards a win win situation for both.
4) Getting cooperation from the public service, dominated by one ethnic group.
5) If opposition party does well in the state, it will bring tremendous challenge to BN and may prolong their longevity and political life span. BN will then be in trouble.

Therefore, we do not underestimate opposition’s power. BN must continue to stay connected with the voters and start fulfilling its promises (economy, education, social welfare) in order to continue to stay in power.

Reply to a comment made by Lohsh/ 回应Lohsh的留言

Mr Loh，我绝对同意你的看法。身为一党之首却不处身内阁，这样的决定确实让人诧异。我们一直告诉选民投选马华，把他们的马华代表送入内阁。可是当马华总会长在大选中胜出后，却放弃内阁部长一职，这予人一种被误导的感觉。或许，为迎战即将来临的党选而专心巩固自己的势力，比出任部长代表华社更重要。

倘若党主席要重建党，他理应专心留在在总部进行检讨、策划和部署工作；他理应到在大选蒙受严重挫败的槟城、霹雳、雪兰莪、吉打和联邦直辖区进行安抚、了解和整顿。可是他反而急于到达到85％胜率的柔佛州。

也许，他认为赢党选比赢民心重要；也许，他在逃避显示自欺欺人，想居功于柔州马华的佳绩，以为他的出现可以确保这座堡垒继续强大……也许吧。也许最终，马华的总会长只是一名注重党选的华裔领袖，而马华最终演变成“区域政党”，活动和角色只受制于南马柔佛、马六甲和彭亨三州？谁知道呢？

总会长, 祝你好运！

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In reply to a comment made by Lohsh in "ASTRO AEC Forum video".

I fully agree with you that it is difficult for the Party President to be out of the cabinet. We told Chinese to vote for MCA so that we could have Cabinet representation but when he, the President won in the election and did not go into Cabinet, then he has misled the Chinese. Maybe consolidating his power in the coming party election is more important than representing the Chinese in the cabinet.

When the party president wanted to rebuild the party, he should have been concentrating his time in the headquarters. He should have gone to states like Penang, Perak, Selangor, Kedah and Wilayah Persekutuan that have lost badly in the general election, Instead, he chose to go to Johor where there was 85% win in the general election.

Maybe, his priority is in winning the coming party election instead of winning the confidence of Chinese or maybe he wants to escape the reality and claim credit that his OWN presence in Johor will ensure that Johor will remain the fortress of MCA. Who knows MCA will ultimately have a President who is more concerned with party election, thus we may be a regional party confine to the south of Malaysia, that is Johor, Malacca and Pahang.

GOD BLESS THE PRESIDENT!

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Lohsh wrote:

The MCA President opting to stay out of the new cabinet is the first step that MCA takes after its horrible performance in the recent GE. The President believes that as MCA fails to get a strong mandate from the Chinese, he can no longer rightfully represent the community in the cabinet. He therefore chooses to focus on party affairs to revitalize the party.

What is surprising is to see that the party leadership, led by the Deputy President, accepts the decision, although not without persuasion to the President to retract it, saying that they respect the president decision. So the decision, after all, is the party's decision.

The problem is it is hard for people to understand such a decision. The rationality and wisdom required of the party leader and leadership in making such a decision is nowhere to be seen.Perhaps we have been living in a very unhealthy political environment for too long, to the point that political leaders, particularly those in the governing position, always believe what they do is always right, it is other people or the voters who are always wrong, and they could not be bothered with the perception of the people.

Opting to stay out of the cabinet can be interpreted as the President believes that his presence in the cabinet is no longer representative of the Chinese wishes, if there are people who think he should not have stayed out, he should not be blamed, the fault lies on the Chinese, it is the Chinese who help create such a situation.

Let’s put aside the problems between MCA and the Chinese.As far as a political party is concerned, one cannot separate party affairs from political affairs. As a matter of fact, political affairs are the core business of a political party.

The crux of the matter here is, how can a party leader who opts to concentrate on party affairs, relegating the political affairs to second tier leaders, be able to lead the party effectively in flexing its political power and achieving its political ambitions?

It is hard to imagine the specific benefits that can result in strengthening the party if the President takes care of party affairs full time. Without attending to political affairs, the President has said, he can devote his energy and time to rebuild the party. If that be the reason, the question of a leader’s capability and stamina arises. Like it or not, under any circumstances, the leader of a political party must possess the required capability and stamina to execute party as well as political duties required of him.

In the present uncertainties, the UMNO President while taking on party affairs, has to take care of BN and shoulder the heaviest responsibility as the PM of the country. Just how convincing can it be to say it suffices to focus on party affairs?

Although there are 4 MCA ministers in the cabinet, one of them needs to be appointed as the MCA leader in the cabinet, to represent MCA in decision making. The President no longer represents MCA in the cabinet, and is merely a back bencher in the Parliament. Under such circumstances, just what is the political position and role of the President?

At the moment, other than the President, his deputy is apparently also taking care of part affairs only. Other than the MCA party leader and leadership, it is hard for anybody to see the rationale of the decision, and in what way it can positively help to further the political future of the party.

The party and its leadership can decide to do the rightful thing, but it will be left to the people to decide whether they agree or disagree with them.

In the next GE, if the President decides to return to the Kulai constituency, the people will decide whether they will cast a vote of confidence in a party President who opts to stay out of the cabinet. But before that, the MCA members will have to decide whether such a President will still be able to continue leading the party effectively.

In reply to sex dvd comments/ 回应光碟事件留言

自上个月开设部落格以来，我发现有不少读者针对光碟事件留言。事情发生后，我已公开承认一切，也向全民包括我的家人道歉，同时辞去所有官职和党职。事发以来，我发现公众的舆论几乎只着重对我私隐进行审判，显然对整起事件背后的主谋不感兴趣。我认为，以揭发我的私隐并加以攻击并不是光彩磊落的做法，也不符合健康政治文化。偷拍后收藏几个月然后才采取进一步行动，在“重要”时刻才抛出来...对方的时机掌握也太完美了吧？

事发后，我的家人已接受我的道歉，他们的宽容给我很大鼓励促使我向前迈进。由始至终，我并没有标榜自己是完美的，至少我愿意面对和承担错误，而拒绝被劝阻去仿效“看起来像我、听起来像我，但那不是我”的做法掩人耳目。目前，事情已告一段落，至于坊间盛传的其他传言都是不实的，那只是对方对我展开的另一轮人格拭杀。

曾有一家生活杂志就我的事件，拉队到我的前国会选区拉美士进行访问。访问结果让我非常感动。绝大部分受访的选民一致认为那是我和我家人的事，表示不会因此否定我的付出。我儿子竞选期间，也没有人挑起有关课题。

我国一位反对党领袖因被控鸡奸和贪污而锒铛入狱，今天被喻为国家的改革家。我想，可能大部分人民认为他是人格拭杀的受害者，而愿意重新接受他。所以我说，朋友，人非圣贤，我们都会犯错。但错过以后，生活还得继续下去。

－－－－－－－－－－－－

Regarding the sex dvd that has been, I notice quite frequently commented about in my blog, I have this to say. I have already admitted and apologized for it, both to the public and the people who matter most to me, my family. I have also resigned from all government and party posts. While I stand to be judged on my private life, it seems to be immaterial as to who the perpetrator behind this tape was. I guess it is unhealthy political culture to expose my private affairs. After all, I must say that the timing was exquisite, holding it onto the tape for a few months and releasing it for maximum impact. Well, new year did indeed start with a bang for me.

Since my family has accepted my apology, I will continue to move on. I do not claim to be perfect, at least I choose not to behave by saying although I was advised by my lawyers “It looks like me, it sounds like me but its not me”. The rest of other rumours are false that is continued by my “friends” to assassinate me.

I was deeply encouraged by a survey done by a local magazine in Labis where they went down to interview voters on the dvd issue. Majority think that it was a personal matter that involves me and my family more than the public. During the election when my son contested for the Labis constituency, this issue was not raised at all.

One of the leading opposition leaders who went to jail purportedly on sodomy and corruption is today hailed as a reformer in the country. I think majority of rakyat of Malaysia think he was a victim of character assassination. So friend, we make mistakes but life has to move on.

As I've said before, I will continue to move on and you are entitled to your judgement. The people who matter the most to me, have already forgiven me. Life goes on.

Should MCA blame UMNO for the election losses?

大选以后，很多人痛批巫统过去的傲慢和独裁，是促成其他成员党兵败如山的关键因素。身为马华的一份子，我不想过于着墨抨击巫统，我认为当务之急应该纠正马华本身的错误和弱点，自我强化。

许多选民告诉我，过去，马华自称是华社的代表，在处理问题上，马华总会长一直主张马华不唱高调，只求成效、不空喊口号；马华要内部协商解决问题，不大事渲染、不煽动情绪。但是在人民看来，马华每每面对大课题时都不敢吭声、逆来顺受。

在HINDRAF的事件，我曾公开指出那不仅仅是印度族群的自家事，而是关乎全民的课题。在一个多元种族的社会里，我们必须确保没有任何一个种族感到被边缘化。国阵若要贯彻真正的政权分享，就应该正视HINDRAF所提出的诉求，而不是把球踢给印度社群和印度领袖。虽然有关事件扰攘了一段日子，但马华一直没有鲜明的立场。另一个例子是林甘短片风波。在许多大课题上，尽管有一、两位马华领袖有回应或评论，但马华的最高领导层始终保持缄默，相信这是造成人民认为马华在冬眠的原因。

马华在过去几年极力提倡健康政治文化，但谈到查卡利亚的“皇宫”事件，马华却噤若寒蝉。我相信华社因此认为马华太软弱甚至甘于屈服于巫统，马华的作风无法说服华社我们捍卫华社权益。另一方面，在关乎全民利益的课题上，国阵包括马华也没有积极表现要共同努力解决，这使到人民生气。

如果我们认为，宣布华教拨款、搬迁和增建华校、争取几个奖学金代表马华就是捍卫和争取华社权益的先锋，那我们是在梦里自我沉醉，我们更本没有掌握到华社的脉搏。话说回来，巫统狂妄傲慢已不言而喻，不过马华在大选的惨败，是否应全怪罪巫统？我让你们去决定。

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As the 2nd largest component party in BN, we cannot blame only UMNO for our losses in the election. We claim that we represent the Chinese community and that we 'resolve problems quietly'. The president says we are result orientated and do not engage in 'emotional outbursts' or shouting slogans, consequently when there are major issues confronting the nation, the silence is deafening. The leadership, as described by another senior politician, is called 'dumb politics'.

On the issue of Hindraf,it not only affects Indians but malaysians of all races as well. In a multiracial society, we must ensure that nobody is being marginalized. If BN practices real power sharing, then it should look into the reasons behind what has compelled a particular people to go out onto the streets and protest and not just say that its 'an Indian problem'. In the same way, the Lingam tape issue is a national problem but we MCA did not take any stand and by being silent hoped that it would go away. We judged wrongly

While everyday we harp on healthy political culture, when it came to Zakaria's 'Istana', our response, or lack therof, was very very subdued, if any. MCAs leadership was perceived by the Chinese community to be weak and scared of UMNO, so much so that they decided to 'close one eye'. How then to convince people to believe that we were fighting for the Chinese? On national issues, the response(or lack therof) of MCA showed that there were no concerted efforts to make our stand known or do something. No wonder the Chinese were and still are angry with MCA and BN.

We seem to believe that by announcing fund allocations for Chinese schools, relocation and new schools as well as scholarships; the Chinese community will regard us as championing Chinese rights. We must be dreaming and we are continuing to dream. We have failed to detect the real pulse of Chinese community and serve them effectively. UMNO leaders’ arrogance needs no further elaboration. So, can we blame UMNO solely for the disaster? I leave it to all of you to decide.

马华巫统合作关系掀新篇章？The cooperation between UMNO and MCA: How should it change?

经过这一届大选，国阵必须认清一个事实：人民对国阵的支持并非理所当然。因此，马华与国阵成员党特别是巫统，不能再援用过去的合作模式。马华和巫统之间，必须建立平等权力和空间的伙伴关系。马华甚至为公平和正义，勇敢和巫统对抗。

为了不让人民联盟继续打击国阵，是时候让我们认真面对308全国大选的事实。巫统要学习珍惜它的伙伴，巫统需要一个有双向沟通能互动的政党，不是一个唯唯诺诺的傀儡。马来社群可以接受巫统领袖举剑，但华社不能。对华社来说，这是威胁和敌意。

身为一党之首，马华总会长不能一味委曲求全，在必要之时要敢于反对。今天，我们和巫统的合作关系不能只靠个人交情或靠拢。人民要的是平起平坐的国阵联盟，而非巫统独大。

我们要看到国阵能确保所有马来西亚人民都享有同等的机会，所以在拟定政策方面，就算和巫统对立马华也要坚持立场，以避免出现偏差。马华不只要人民争取和捍卫权益，也要维护全民尊严和照顾他们的感受。

我们也听到华社的呼诉求，要政府制度化落实和发展华教，包括迁校和增建。因此，在华教发展课题上，马华必须迅速采取对策，以免重蹈覆辙，逐而被华社遗弃。

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First of all, BN must no longer take power for granted. As for cooperation in the context of BN, especially with UMNO can never be the same as before. It has to be equal partnership; same level playing field and we should have the courage to stand against UMNO if there is any injustice or unfairness.

To prevent Pakatan Rakyat continuing to do more damage to BN, it is time that BN face the political reality of the post 8th March election scenario. UMNO should learn to appreciate from its partners. UMNO needs a party to communicate with the community but not a yes man. If they raise the keris, it may seem to be culturally acceptable to the Malays, but to the Chinese, it is regarded as threat or hostility.

The MCA President must have the gut to object and not to plead or cajoled to get things done. Now, the cooperation is not just based on personal friendship and curry favour from UMNO. Otherwise, it will not go down well with Chinese community. MCA should not be just fighting about rights, but it must also fight for self-esteem of community that is at stake.

We want to see a BN that is able to ensure a just and equitable society where every Malaysian regardless of races has fair opportunity to succeed. This may include confronting UMNO leaders over the policy making process.

MCA must begin the process of institutionalizing the development of Chinese education, from relocation to building the schools. On this aspect, we must act fast before the MCA continues to fade into irrelevance because of inaction.

Tomorrow: How should MCA play the role of opposition?

ASTRO AEC FORUM : 马华如何重新出发？

Monitoring Opposition-led states and the survival of BN

With the Pakatan Rakyat in control of 5 states, it is definitely providing competition to the BN-led government, both at federal and state. The state government of Perak has taken the lead by giving a freehold land title (there will be technical problem in launching this) and also the Selangor government approving a big pig farm. This is a tremendous embarrassment to MCA for we are unable to do so for the last 50 years in power.

When I was a state EXCO in Johor from 1990 to 2004, what we did was to get the state government to automatically renew the land lease of new villages and the tenure depended on premium paid. If they pay higher premium, it will be a 99 years’ lease.

As for the pig farm, it was more on the tolerance by the state government and in general, the pig farms do not create problem in Johor, as long as they conform to the various conditions including environment. They were allowed to flourish but no farms were added. There was reduction of pig farms after the JE crisis.

With the moves by Pakatan Rakyat, it is now obvious that they have gone out of their way to woo Chinese voters and MCA’s survival is now threatened.

BN party must now reform in order to be competitive and BN must be brave enough to admit own weaknesses and seek forgiveness for their past mistakes and arrogances.

Tomorrow, I’ll talk about cooperation between UMNO and MCA of how it should change and wake up from singing the same old tune in the past.


随着人民联盟成功在5州掌政，在朝或在野的国阵议员都将面对严峻的挑战和竞争，尤其当霹雳州政府已经率先批准永久地契予新村村民，而雪州政府也批准在州内建集中养猪场，这些举措都标签着马华在过去50年来的无能，让马华陷入极度尴尬的局面。尽管我认在执行上必将产生许多问题，但在一定的程度上体现了人联政府的开明和体恤民意。

在新村地契课题上，我于1990至2004年担任柔佛州行政议员期间，我们采取的做法是一旦土地契约届满，将获得州政府自动更新，而更新的年限是根据租户所缴交的税捐而定，分别是60年或99年。

至于养猪场，只要猪农遵守既定的条规，包括环境卫生条例，没有衍生其他问题，柔州政府一般上都会抱持容忍态度对待这行业。不过，自从日本脑炎事件后，州政府关闭了部分违例的养猪场，以保障人民的安全。

人民联盟的做法，明显地是为了争取华裔选票，这导致马华的存活受到威胁。尽管如此，我始终认为，国阵要保持竞争条件挽民心，则须大刀阔斧改革，取他人之长，补己之短。国阵也必需勇于认错，就过去的过失和傲慢态度，向人民请求原谅。唯有这样，我们才能显示革新的诚意，去赢取选民的信任。

那马华和巫统之间要建立怎样的合作模式？国阵这两大臂膀要如何改变论调，重新出发？我愿在下一贴分享我的拙见，与大家共同研讨。

MCA: Ong-Chua showdown on the cards?

What does former MCA vice-president Dr Chua Soi Lek’s political future have in common with beauty contests? Timing, it appears.

With MCA to hold its triennial elections in October, a showdown is on the cards for the No 1 post held by Ong Ka Ting. However, his authority over the party has been shaken by its humiliating performance in last month's general election.

Whether Chua will be the one to challenge Ong is not something he is prepared to divulge immediately, despite being pressed repeatedly for a response in an exclusive hour-long interview in Petaling Jaya yesterday.

"It is just like joining a beauty contest - you may be the most beautiful lady in the world, but you can’t offer yourself until the beauty contest opens (for entries).

"Otherwise you would be walking on the street, not on the catwalk. When the competition is on, then you can join," he said.

He said things will only get clearer after the divisional elections in July, citing a “fear culture” within the party to be openly seen as going against the top leader.

Wearing a yellow and blue striped short-sleeve shirt and accompanied by an aide, Chua exchanged name-cards at the start of the interview. He quipped that his was that of a “jobless man” as it does not bear the name or logo of any organisation.

Chua, 61, had abruptly quit all his party posts - and as health minister - in January, after a video tape was circulated of his sexual liaison with a “personal friend”. He claimed that the secret recording and distribution of the video was politically motivated.

Should he decide to take on the president, he is all set to respond to any criticism that he has lost the moral ground over the scandal.“If the fact is I can strip naked and tell people what I have done. I can face (any consequences),” said Chua, who is known for his forthrightness which sometimes comes across as arrogant.

Prior to the controversy, Chua - who enjoys staunch support in his home state of Johor and a potential threat to Ka Ting’s position - was said to have fallen out with the MCA president. Both have denied the speculation.

Denying that they are political enemies, Chua said he “used to be Ka Ting’s strongest supporter”, even halting a ‘peace plan’ that would have made the latter’s then rival, Chan Kong Choy, the president.

"During the Team A-Team B crisis, somebody said I had started it in Johor because part of the agreement was that Kong Choy should be the president, not Ka Ting," he revealed.

"I started the ball rolling by saying if the president and his deputy president (Dr Ling Liong Sik and Lim Ah Lek) wanted to retire, fine, but they should not determine for us who should be the new president and deputy." The peace plan eventually saw Ling and Lim step down in favour of Ka Ting and Chan as No 1 and 2 respectively in May 2003.

'Phone calls, chit-chat'

The MCA elections on Oct 18 is shaping up to a hotly-contested event following party’s worst ever performance in the March 8 general election.MCA won only 15 of 40 parliamentary seats and 31 of 90 state seats contested. The party had 31 parliamentary seats and 76 state seats after the 2004 general election.

Discontent has been growing with both the grassroots members and influential leaders pointing a finger at Ka Ting's decision to field new and unfamiliar faces as candidates as the main cause of the dismal showing. Vice-president Donald Lim and influential veterans Chua Jui Meng, Dr Ting Chew Peh and Yap Pian Hon are among the critics.

Many also view with trepidation an apparent plan by Ka Ting to make his elder brother, Ka Chuan, the top leader.During the interview, Chua alleged that Ka Ting had chosen to focus on consolidating power and position by dropping those he (Ka Ting) did not favour. He also appeared disgusted with the party's decision last week to name Ka Ting as the Johor chief - his post until his resignation. This is a key post as Johor has the highest number of central delegates and corresponding voting rights in the party polls.

Claiming that Ka Ting wants to be a “unchallengeable president”, Chua said: “Everybody in the party knows he is a good strategist in terms of consolidating his position and getting political mileage out of any situation.”

Asked if he is teaming up with disgruntled leaders to create a formidable force against Ka Ting’s team, he conceded there have been “phone calls and chit-chat”.“But nobody have said that I should be their leader. So I can't be presumptuous that I am their leader. Maybe it's still early,” he said.

Chua further said there have been attempts ‘from the top’ to prevent him from meeting party members and that grassroots leaders had been instructed to withdraw invitations to attend events.“There are attempts to make me totally forgotten and become a footnote in the history of MCA,” he claimed.

-Malaysiakini, 02.04.08-

Misleading statement regarding my resignation as an MP

Earlier today, I wrote that I had been invited as a panel speaker for an ASTRO forum. Before the forum started, I was informed by ASTRO that there were some sms being circulated among the public asking them to call in during the forum to ask me to explain my intention of not resigning as Member of Parliament. Besides that, Laksou.com also asked the same question.

I must say that when I announced my resignation, I resigned all posts including the MP post. I sent a letter to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister also forwarded my letter to the Parliament. Therefore, it is misleading to say that I have my own agenda in the party just because I did not resign as an MP, of which I did by writing to the Prime Minister.

At least I am being honest here, unlike some comrades who just care about building up their good images and use it to mislead party members to show that they are Mr. Goodie, and that they are really working hard for the party when they have their own agendas behind it. Who are these people? I will not want to say anything but let's just wait and see. Good news will arrive soon!

如果大家有收看4月5日的《就事论事》，应该记得主持人在节目开始前曾提到，制作组人员收到坊间流传的一个手机短讯，内容是号召观众拨电质问我为何没有辞去国会议员一职。有关问题也在《辣手杂志》中被挑起。

今年1月，我宣布辞去所有官职和党职，其中当然包括国会议员一职。我也致函告诉首相我的决定，首相较后也将我的辞职信交给国会。因此，指责我具有个人议程而未辞去国会议员、企图蒙骗选民的言论是误导性的。事实上，写给首相的信可佐证，我已辞去一切职位。

在有关事件上，至少我对全民坦诚，不像有些人刻意塑造不实的形象来误导群众，表面好好先生实际上别有居心。

这些披着羊皮的狼是谁，我不会多说，大家拭目以待吧。好消息将登场。

Thank you, ASTRO!

Good morning, everyone.

First of all, I have to thank ASTRO for inviting me to be one of the panel members in their ASTRO AEC’s forum that was held live last Saturday night. As an MCA member, my loyalty is still to the party. I may have my differences with the leadership, but when it comes to protecting the party, I’ll be the first to do so.

Loyalty to the party should not be confused with loyalty to leadership. If the leadership has done anything wrong in managing the party, then I’m entitled to my opinion and right to criticize the leadership. Blind obedience to leadership has never been my cup of tea.

This time, the voters have the courage to vote for change for the betterment of the country. After the disaster in this election, MCA leadership and members must not think that it is still business as usual. Members can continue to attack me and I have no problem with that. It is better to win the heart of rakyat based on party policy and image rather than to rely on individual candidates.

I am a victim of character assassination. People can continue to talk about my failings but I will continue to move on with my life and I believe in what I am doing while they continue to attack me.

In Astro, I defended MCA in the limited time that I had. It comes as a surprise to comrades who think that I will use the opportunity to attack the party and the leadership. I will continue to serve the party in whatever capacity that I can and people can continue to attack me anonymously while my family and I will go on with our life.


上星期六，我受邀上ASTRO AEC频道制作的《就事论事》现场清谈节目，与另两名嘉宾探讨“马华如何从新出发”。我要感谢制作单位的邀请，给我机会参与这项讨论。

我要强调，虽然我目前只是一名普通党员，但我对党的效忠不变。我或许和党领导层有分歧，但如果党需要，我会奋不顾身第一时间挺身维护它。

必须认清的是，忠于党不等于忠于领导层；对党和领导层的效忠不能混为一谈。如果领导层对党管理不当，我认为，身位党员的我有权力进行批评。“愚忠”绝非我所为。

在这届大选，选民体现前所未有的勇气，为更好的明天投下手中一票。经过这场败役，马华领导层和全体党员也应顺应民意，作出调整和改变，不能继续一如我故。党员可以继续攻击我，我没有异议。我认为，马华应该以良好的政策和形象赢取民心，而不是依靠个人魅力。

我认为我是人身攻击的受害者。当然，关于我下台的前因后果，人们可以继续抨击。不过，在你们对我评头论足的当儿，我和我的家人选择继续前进，继续我们的生活。

在ASTRO《就事论事》节目中，许多人以为我会借用这个平台痛批党和领导层，但我却把握非常有限的时间，为马华好的一面辩护。此举让许多同僚感到意外。

这是我的大原则：我效忠，但不愚忠。虽然我只是一名普通党员，对党的忠心依然不变。我会在我能力范围内，不遗余力地为马华奉献。

当务之急重振士气“党不改变存在没意义”

马华前副总会长拿督斯里蔡细歷指出，马华必须改变，不然，党的存在没有意义。

他表示，霹雳州务大臣莫哈末尼查宣佈州內134个华人新村將获颁永久地契，让逾50万名新村人口受惠后，难免有人责怪国阵执政多年来都无法满足人民的需求。“反对党在该州执政才3个星期，即能改变其大原则或政策，若我们（国阵）还是一成不变，表示我们出了问题。"
-星洲日报，04。04。08-


English Version

Former MCA vice president Datuk Seri Dr. Chua Soi Lek pointed out that MCA needs to change or it will be meaningless for the party to continue to exist.

He said Perak Menteri Besar Mohamad Nizar announced that 134 Chinese new villages will obtain freehold land title and 500, 000 villagers will benefit from this. This decision has caused rakyat to blame BN for not being able to satisfy rakyat's needs all these while when they were in power. "Opposition has only ruled the state for three weeks and they can change the principle and strategy, if we (BN) do not change, that means we have problem", he said.

-Sin Chew Daily, 04.04.08-

蔡细歷：由诊所或药房配给‧病人有权选配药方式

卫生部前任部长拿督斯里蔡细歷认为，病人应该有权利选择在诊所或由药房药剂师配药。
他说，基於大马严缺药剂师，因此暂时无法落实医药分家的政策，未来5年看病和配药必须由医生做，不过，长远之计，大马必须推行医药分家的制度。

他週四（4月3日）为“生命的彩虹──蓝丝带运动”移交慈善款项的仪式后，在新闻发佈会上，针对卫生部將展开实验性计划，即把诊所与药房的医、药功能分家的课题发表意见。

“经常有药剂师指医生会通过配药来赚钱，但此说法对医生不公平；就算病人到药店配药，这些药剂师同样必须考量其运作成本，包括店租、员工、交通费用等，因此未必医药分家，病人的医药开销就会减少。

每年16万新病例大马癌童佔全球5%.

蔡细歷指出，每年全球有16万宗儿童患癌的新病例，而大马儿童占了5%，儘管患癌儿童佔全球癌症病人的小部分，但癌症却是1岁至14孩童的二號杀手。

另一方面，CREATIVISION董事经理林丽澐指出，该公司通过去年10月25日开始展开的这项运动，共筹获45万令吉零3仙的善款，平均分配给9个慈善团体和基金会，各团体获得5万令吉，星洲基金会也是受惠团体之一。

-星洲日报 04.04.08-

《当今大马》独家专访

“目前的我，只是一介普通党员，如何挑战拥有巨大权力和特权的马华总会长？说我是现任总会长黄家定目前最强而有力的挑战者，这话太抬举我了。我只是普通党员，从来不曾想过挑战马华总会长这个职位。” “我不想多谈论党选，经过大选的政治海啸，我们应该去探讨国阵和马华的败因；为何寂寂无名的反对党候选人能压倒性当选。如果有错，我们必须承认并纠正。如果你隔天醒来还能若无其事，那我们真的有大问题。”.........详文请点击
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/80752
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/80813
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/80890

Interview with Malaysiakini

have accepted an interview by Malaysiakini two days ago in regards to election results, the anti-government wave and MCA's future. One interesting part to share with all of you where Malaysiakini asked me a question that said I am Ka Ting's enemy in politics now and here is how I answer it:

"I used to be Ka Ting's strongest supporter. During the Team A-Team B crisis, somebody said I had started it in Johor because part of the agreement was that Kong Choy should be the president, not Ka Ting. I started the ball rolling by saying if the president and his deputy president (Dr. Ling Liong Sik and Lim Ah Lek) wanted to retire, find, but they should not determine for us who should be the new president and deputy".

The interview can be found in Malaysiakini website in both English and Chinese. Kindly just log on to：

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/80781 for main story
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/80786 Q&A
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/80841 about the tape
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/80843 Q&A

As for those who are interested to listen to the interview, they can also log on to the video site of Malaysiakini at http://www.malaysiakini.tv/video/15691.html

集思广益重建马华

3月8日，国阵遭受有史以来最严重的挫败。

这届大选，国阵的选绩之糟远超过1969年。一些马华在选后将败因归咎巫统的独裁。没错，身为国阵最大成员党的巫统对这场败役有责，然而作为第二大党的马华也难辞其咎。

这届大选，华裔选民的选择已超越种族路线，他们不再只投选华裔政党，也投回教党、行动党；印裔选民则离弃印度国大党。这种现象促使我们必须思索两个问题：单一种族政党在未来能否继续生存？马华和国阵会否逐渐沦为“政治恐龙”――退居边缘而最终消失？

这是马华政治格局的分水岭，只有革新才能确保马华的存在意义。过去传统式的处事手法已不合时宜，再不能有效解决华社面对的问题。

因此，我邀请马华党员以及公众到此留言，欢迎大家提供建设性的建议和灼见，集思广益重建马华，让人民对马华重拾信心、重予寄望。

我谨此感谢大家良言相谏。