BN needs Chinese support to stay in power, says philanthropist

To stay in power, Barisan Nasional (BN) needs to garner genuine support from the Chinese community.

Outspoken social activist-cum-philanthropist Tan Sri Robert Phang stressed that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his BN government must work hard to earn the trust.

He warned that a change of government is possible in the coming 14th general election if Najib and his team failed to do so.

The founder and chairman of the Social Care Foundation warned of this in his letter to Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of national unity, recently. He also posted his statement on his Facebook account today.

“Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had said many times that his government and himself need the support of the Chinese community.

“Our nation understands where he is coming from. Granted there is a split within Umno, the support from the Chinese community will be important and inevitable.

“Datuk Seri Najib must know that he is the PM for all races. He has never been seen to stop or contemplate to stop the unhealthy and dangerous slogans, plus street rallies by the pro-Malay group, shouting in the streets sensitive slogans.

“We can understand that PM needs the support from the Malay supporters, too.”

Phang added that the Chinese community in Malaysia had now awakened and they realised that they needed to unite to be a strength and a voice to be heard.

“This is the only strength of the Chinese community.”

He also opined that it would be an uphill task for the BN government to garner the genuine support of the Chinese community, which made up 23.7% of the total population, because of the following reasons:

1. The proclamation by the ex-Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyddin Yassin that as far as Umno was concerned, it was 1Melayu first and 1Malaysia second;

2. The bad and damaging experience in the past few pro-Malay rallies where such racist and inflammatory remarks like “Cina Babi” (Chinese pigs), “Pendatang” (Foreigner) and “Balik Negeri Cina” (Return to China) were hurled at the Chinese community by the organisers and participants;

3. The ugly racial incidents at the Low Yat Plaza and Petaling Street had traumatised the Chinese community.

These had also given the international community a negative impression that the present government is incapable of being fair to all Malaysians, Phang claimed.

On the Prime Minister’s call, urging the Chinese community to support the BN government, Phang said this would not work.

“95% of the Chinese community of today do not want to consider voting for MCA for the forthcoming GE14.”

To address this problem, he urged the Prime Minister to ensure equality for the Chinese community and be seen to speak out loud and stop the sensitive issues and slogans at all cost.

“There should be no more rallies from the Malays as it will have a negative impact and definitely invite serious racial problems. If no action is taken, it will destroy Malaysia. That is highly possible and not a dream.”

Besides this, Phang also urged Kurup to identify some independent respectful Chinese leaders, who were accepted by the Chinese community, to go down to the ground to communicate and invite them to participate in solidarity issues — to draw up a plan for the Chinese where their welfare, education and well-being will be looked into.

“It has reached a stage where the Chinese community has said enough is enough.

“If this is the voice of solidarity from the Chinese community, needless to say, it is the duty of the government of the day, including your ministry, to promote and implement.

“If this is not done, I can boldly say that the next GE will see a change in government.

“That is my personal feedback and view. Solidarity can only be achieved provided bold and effective changes take place as soon as possible.”

Source : http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2015/10/20/bn-needs-chinese-support-to-stay-in-power-says-philanthropist/