The MCA elections in October will be closely watched as the outcome will likely chart the way forward for the party, writes CHOK SUAT LING

CHANGE, renewal, rejuvenation -- these are all words MCA members have become familiar with in the last several months following its disappointing performance in the March general election.

These strident calls, which are also reverberating within the other Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties, have been the subject of furious discussions within the party.

MCA will have its elections in two months and despite some ugly attempts at character assassination and mudslinging, the outlook is now somewhat hopeful. New people at the helm of the party may, perhaps, bring change and this is likely what it needs to beat a path back into the hearts of the Chinese electorate.

But what would be the best way forward? The party could continue ambling along the same route, which political commentators have said would be suicidal, or move further to the right and become more ultra-Chinese. That is not entirely practical for the party, or indeed the whole of BN.
The best way to go, according to both party members and observers, is for the MCA to take a Malaysian, or rather multiracial, perspective on the issues it raises and the programmes it carries out.

The party has already taken some steps in this direction, for example, by providing life-long learning opportunities for Malaysians of all ages and vocational training for dropouts of all ethnic groups.

The March 8 political tsunami, politicians say, has seen voters transcending race and religion when casting their votes -- with Malays, Chinese and Indians voting for change.

So, rather than focus only on Chinese education, scholarships and business opportunities for the community, for example, the MCA should look at merit and needs-based programmes for all, especially the lower-income groups of all communities.

"The party needs to change or else it will perish," MCA Seremban division vice-chief Tan Foong Luen stresses.

The Negri Sembilan MCA legal bureau chief said the results of the general election showed that the MCA has failed.

"Failed not in the sense that what now exists is nothing, but that it is so much less than what might or could have been. MCA is capable of and deserves so much better. What choices are there with this downturn in MCA's political fortune?"

Tan feels the answer is for the party to adopt a multiracial outlook, as proposed by MCA vice-president Datuk Ong Tee Keat.

Tee Keat has made known his intention to go for the president's post in the upcoming party elections and is expected to follow through on this line of thinking if elected. Party associates know he is determined and will not waver from a stance he believes in.

Tan believes that Tee Keat's vision is the best way forward for the party. "We must not continue to look at everything from the Chinese viewpoint but from a Malaysian perspective. After 51 years of independence, we need to look at issues as Malaysians and not be pigeonholed."

If the party adopts multiracialism, the Chinese community need not worry, say community leaders.

If MCA, or indeed all political parties took a multiracial approach, it woud lead to a more harmonious environment that is conducive for business and positive for the economy. This would benefit not just one particular race, but all.

Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia treasurer Datuk Hong Lee Pee feels it is unhealthy to focus on race in politics.

"In this regard, adopting a multiracial approach is an excellent proposition. I grew up in a kampung in Teluk Kemang, near Port Dickson where people of all races had no problems interacting with each other.

"We could call each other abang or even taikor whenever we met at the kopitiam and could sit down together for a drink. If this attitude can be transposed to politics, all will be well."

Going multiracial in outlook may, however, very well be a case of easier said than done. The grassroots, according to an insider, continue to be leery of such a move. They are strenuously against any compromise on the party's stance on education and culture, among other issues.

"While it cannot be said that the group against change is more influential or vociferous than the other, or even if there are in fact two distinct groups, it remains that the core grassroots continue to perceive the Chinese as being marginalised and as such, in need of protection," the insider admits.

"While party leaders understand the need to focus on multiracialism, they still need to take into account the wants and needs of the grassroots, most of whom are from the older generation, those between their mid-40s to 60s."

Some, however, believe this situation can be easily remedied with some effort. Utilising the vernacular newspapers is one way. Tan feels the Chinese media should strive to educate the Chinese community on the need to move forward.

"Many of the grassroots are not Internet-savvy. They comprise the older generation, are Chinese educated and many reside in new villages.

"The Chinese newspapers have an important role to help change the prevailing coloured vision among this group and filter the thoughts of our leaders down to the grassroots."

Tan adds that taking a multiracial outlook would not necessarily mean ignoring or neglecting bread-and-butter issues related to Chinese education, places at universities or new villages.

Grassroots sentiments aside, there are those who dismiss the entire debate as a fruitless exercise. The proposition, it is felt, is essentially a non-starter.

"Only if and until Umno goes multiracial, can the non-Malay parties follow suit. Otherwise, it will force MCA to remain where it is," says Rita Sim of the MCA's Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research.

She notes that Umno and Pas are instead focusing on Malay unity and ketuanan Melayu, further reinforcing the point that ethnic-based parties must continue.

Their fear of being "marginalised" is unfounded, says Sim, for they comprise the majority.

"The non-Malay parties are pushing for a multiracial outlook but not Umno and Pas. They are not articulating how they are going to help the other races, so who is going to tackle Chinese and Indian issues?"

This is unfortunate, she points out, when non-Malay parties are "dying" to take a multiracial approach.

"The question that should be asked, therefore, is not whether the MCA or MIC should adopt a multiracial outlook but to turn it around and ask the Malay parties whether they are willing to do so," she said.

"If Umno and Pas remain mono-ethnic, it will force MCA and MIC to continue in their present format. By 2020, Bumiputeras will make up 60 per cent of the country's population.

"If Umno does not take the lead and go multiracial, it is crucial for the minority groupings to remain as they are."

Whatever the outcome or direction, the Chinese community will definitely be watching the coming party elections and the changing of the guard closely.