By Debra Chong
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 - In a surprising turn, the MCA today voiced its support for their political opponents over the use of multi-lingual signboards in the DAP-led Penang state and the appointment of Low Siew Moi as the acting General Manager of the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS).
The party's support for the Pakatan Rakyat governments in Penang and Selangor will certainly put it on a collision course with Umno. Party vice-president Liow Tiong Lai has already come under heavy fire for suggesting the scrapping of the 30 per cent bumiputera equity requirement.
Today, MCA Youth chief Datuk Wee Ka Siong expressed his disagreement with his Barisan Nasional (BN) colleagues, notably Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim who said that Penang only needssignboards in the national language and in English.
He also criticised a University of Malaya professor, Datuk Dr Zainal Kling, who had urged the authorities to charge the state government under the Sedition Act for daring to put up signboards in other languages.
"If we still carry on with a conservative mindset in issuing such statements, it will not help the country in attracting foreign tourists," Wee said in a press statement today, drawing parallels between Penang's multi-lingual signboards and the multi-lingual signboards posted at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
In a separate press statement, Wanita MCA chief Chew Mei Fun urged Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim to remain steadfast in appointing Low as the acting General Manager of PKNS.
"Even though I share a different political ideology with Tan Sri Khalid, I believe in the Selangor Menteri Besar's trust and confidence in women's capabilities to helm PKNS," she said.
Chew took to task the former Selangor MB Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo and state Pas commissioner Datuk Dr Hassan Mohamed Ali for disparaging Low's qualification based on her gender and ethnicity.
"The behaviour of these two leaders, who questioned and prejudiced the capabilities of women, will not increase the country's competitiveness and encourage economic growth," she said.
"In this globalised world, the appointment of top government posts should not be based on skin colour or gender. Those with capabilities and who are able to perform should be given the opportunity to serve," sheemphasised.
"At the end of the day, Malaysia will experience a brain drain with more and more talented professionals leaving for other countries to seek work and pursue their ambitions." -- TMI
3 comments:
It is good that MCA Wanita has come out in support of Selangor MB's decision to appoint a woman as acting General manager of PKNS, based on her capabilities. Ms Chew Mei Fun said it correctly that colour of skin should not be a requirement nor gender. As the late Chinese Premier Chou Eng-Lai once said " it does not matter whether a cat is black or white as long as it can catch mice! "
Here I would add the wise words of Chou that it matters not whether the person is male or female, black, brown or yellow as long as the person can do the job well. In a globalised world , we should be prepared to meet challenges not only among Malaysians but also from aliens.
This is the way forward for Malaysia if it wishes to move forward. Follow the words of Barack Obama, the Democratic Presidential candidate who wrote the book " The Audacity of Hope " . Dare we hope for a better to-morrow ?
Upright men and women in Malaysia should stand up as what the MCA Wanita leader and MCA Vice-President did----- speaking up for what is right and proper.
S.H. Huang
It was the late Mr. Teng Siaw-Ping who quoted the "black & white cat" commentary.
Slowly and surely this country will be full of Talibans!
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