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（麻坡22日讯）马华总会长拿督斯里翁诗杰说，槟城州首席部长林冠英应该清楚交代槟州第一副首席部长辞职一事。 他强调，副首长一职是官职，关系到整个州政府的权威与尊严，既然林冠英一直标榜透明度的处事作风，就应该针对此事有个清晰的说法，而不是一再的顾左右而言他。
“槟州副首长辞职一事在短短24小时内，即已传出几个不同的版本，林冠英应该向槟州人民及全国人民交代清楚，这毕竟不是党职，可选择性不向外公布。”
翁诗杰也是交通部长。他周日午莅临麻属班卒，为灵安殿新殿主持开幕仪式时说，既然林冠英标榜着透明度，那么，将副首长的辞职的事件交代清楚，理应是轻而易举的事情。
另一方面，翁诗杰表示，他将会晤警察总长丹斯里慕沙哈山，传达麻县频频发生撕票案课题。
“麻县当前面对治安败坏问题，绑架案一再发生，如今甚至发生了撕票案，据说先前也有很多相关案子发生，当事人为息事宁人而付赎金，这种情况只会使犯罪集团变本加厉。”
Press Statement issued by Sdr Gan Ping Sieu, MCA Spokesperson and Political Education Bureau head in response to the Prime Minister’s written reply in Dewan Rakyat on 12 Mar 09 that “Malaysia is a ‘Negara Islam’”
MCA: Malaysia is a SECULAR state
MCA Political Education Bureau head Sdr Gan Ping Sieu expressed reservation over the written reply given by Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi to YB Karpal Singh in the Dewan Rakyat on 12 Mar 09 that “Malaysia is a ‘Negara Islam.’”
Ping Sieu welcomes the Prime Minister’s statement that Malaysia is not a theocratic state and shall adhere to a Parliamentary democratic system as enshrined in the Federal Constitution. Meanwhile, he held that the reference of Malaysia as a “Negara Islam” by the Prime Minister is wholly unnecessary, as the phrase “negara Islam” will only serve to confuse the Rakyat and cause unwanted fear.
Historical documents
MCA is of the position that Malaysia is nothing but a SECULAR STATE. This is evidenced from the following historical accounts and the subsequent debates when the Federal Constitution was drafted:-
1) The Alliance Memorandum submitted to the Reid Constitution Commission on 27 Sept 1956 clearly stated that “the religion of Malaya shall be Islam … and shall NOT imply that the state is NOT a secular state.”
2) When the Working Party, comprising the Alliance and the Rulers’ representatives and the High Commissioner met on 22 Feb 1957 to review the Reid Commission draft and on the possibility that the provision on religion being misinterpreted, the Alliance and UMNO chief Tunku Abdul Rahman assured the Working Party that, “the whole Constitution was framed on the basis that the Federation would be a secular State.”
3) At the London Constitutional talks in May 1957, the Colonial Office did not object to the inclusion of an official religion after being assured by the Alliance leaders that they “had no intention of creating a Muslim theocracy and that Malaya would be a secular state.”
4) On behalf of the Alliance, Sdr (later Tun) Tan Siew Sin told the federal legislature that the inclusion of the official religion “… does not in any way derogate from the principle, which has always been accepted, that Malaya will be a secular state and that there would be complete freedom to practise any other religion.”
5) A year after Independence, on 1 May 1958, the then Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman clarified in the Legislative Council that “I would like to make it clear that this country is NOT an Islamic state as it is generally understood. We merely provide that Islam shall be the official religion of the state.”
Judicial recognition
The above position has received judicial recognitions. The former Lord President, Tan Sri Mohamed Salleh Abas, in Che Omar bin Che Soh v Public Prosecutor (1988) stated that the term ‘Islam’ in Article 3(1) of the Federal Constitution meant “only such acts as relate to rituals and ceremonies… the law in this country is … secular law.”
The former Lord President Tun Mohamed Suffian Hashim also wrote that Islam was made the official religion primarily for ceremonial purposes, to enable prayers to be offered in the Islamic way on official public occasions, such as the installation or birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Independence Day and similar occasions.
Observations by Academicians
Constitution law expert Profesor Shad Saleem Farooqi and prominent legal scholar, the late Tan Sri Professor Ahmad Ibrahim also share the above observations.
Universal values
MCA is of the position that the guiding principles for public administration in our beloved multi-racial country shall always adhere to universal values of equality, justice, fairness, transparency, mutual respect, the rule of law, etc which transcends all religions.
-MCA online-
感谢国阵友党领袖，各位嘉宾，来自全国各地的同志们，今天齐聚在这里，和我们一起欢庆和分享马华公会成立60周年，这个意义不凡的日子。
诚然马华公会成立一甲子，其过程充满种种挑战和艰辛，不过，最终都一一加以克服。我们不敢或忘创党先贤的付出，为当年50万华裔带来曙光，为教育下一代付出许多心血。
马华可以一再吹捧和沉湎辉煌的过去，但是鉴往知来居安思危，在欢庆的当而，我们必须严正看待今天严峻的挑战。我们不能完全无视308政治海啸冲击效应，以及对政治觉醒的呼声，而金融风暴的侵袭更让我们有切肤之痛。
我们的党正处于一个关键性分水岭：我们是要缔造历史？还是就此自甘沉沦、得过且过？ 改革并不是政治上的口号！ 我们应该改革，也必须要改革！
总结败因分析、中委会成员的建言与民众的期待，“三拼”的奋斗纲领
1）拼经济民主
最近金融风暴肆虐，国际间风声鹤唳，显示经济寒冬已经来临，情势相当严峻。
马华本着以民为本的理念，恳切呼吁国人齐心合力阻止内耗，集中智慧與资源，唯有务实地处理好经济问题，我国的前景才会有保障。
马华身为负责任的执政党，在国家经济面临大考验时，协助国家稳定经济，责无旁贷。
对於摆脱经济低迷，我们理当扮演更积极主动的角色。我们将会研拟对国家和人民最利惠的方案，放弃头痛医头和短视的解决方式。
在这方面，马华公会审度时势，选择在“推广微贷、购买国货、招商引资”这三个层面主动进行工作。以活络国家经济命脉。
我们必须确保所有的经济配套以及援助，真正照顾到那些有需要的人士。我们如何保证他们最终受惠？透明化和稽查制度必须得到落实，遏阻官僚作风、延宕、泄密等不当行为，以及破坏我们阻止获得不当收入的努力。
为了确保工作机会，我们会协助那些有心进行重组、立志迈向成功的中小企业，推介小额信贷以及中小企业融资计划，而这些优惠是對症下药，不是通过裙带关系就可以上下其手。
与此同时，马华也通过政府内部的机制，积极催化与全球化经济开放接轨的大趋势，国人要拼上经济开放的列车，就必须具备足够的竞争能力。
因此积极培育各技术领域的人才，及通过国际技术水平认证，为他们在职场上的竞争力增值，乃当务之急。
2）拼政治：拼执政为民的理念落实（不能远离政治的主轴）
马华作为一个政党，当然必须勇于面对政治上的挑战。我们不单形式上如此，实质内涵上更应如此。马华参与执政，就必须踏实地反映民意、纾解民困打造民愿。因此我们在执政主流中需要发挥有效的参与决策的角色，才能影响政策，并在制度上催化改革。
马华在吹响改革转型的号角后，首先在学校建设维修的拨款发放机制上取得突破。中央政府接纳马华的建议模式，将拨款直接发放给受惠的学校董事部，本身就是一种“赋权”（empowerment）行动。同时也肯定了华小董事部在建设学校方面所扮演的守护角色。
针对长期困扰华社的公共服务领域种族比率严重失衡的现象，政府已应马华的要求，作出根本性的探讨，及设定目标以反映本国的多元种族比率。
在政府奖贷学金的配发方面，马华继成为让高等教育贷学金公平开放予国立、私立大专院校的各族学子后，最近再次在政府内部发挥了作用，进一步拓展了JPA公共服务局奖学金的发放层面。马华坚持优秀学子，不分族群贫富，均须一律给予支柱培育的主张，已获得政府的积极回应，并设定机制来贯彻。
此外，新的配发标准机制也将打破过去旧有的框限，人间兼顾不同族群、不同地域、不同阶层的需求。与此同时，它所保送本国各族优秀学子就读的大专院校，将会涵盖国内外的知名大学。
对青年社群而言，马华不单致力于不断开拓成人成材的空间与机会，也同时成功催化政府对青年团体，包括华青组织的“赋权”政策。各族青年团体，包括乡团附属性的青年团，已正式被政府列为直接发放活动援助拨款的对象。
这一切仅只是一个起步，一个开创新局的起点。我们力求在贯彻执政为民的理念上有所作为，也同时致力带动引领草根基层认识国家的宏观政治、明辨议题的真象。
3）拼和谐共享的社会：重新定位及打造健康的种族和谐关系
马华向来秉持一个信念，即：马来西亚要长治久安，就必须认真地经营种族之间的和谐关系。独立初期的互相容忍，固然是建国的基石，但缺乏实质互谅、互重精神支撑的容忍，其基础是脆弱的。今天我们所欠缺的是彼此尚未走进对方的内心世界。
308政治大海啸走过的政党对峙，也有意无意牵动了种族和谐的神经。我们不能任由无良政客，不论来自何党，一再的嘲弄种族与宗教情绪，让这个国家的基业毁于一旦。
马华敢对不公不义的事件公然呛声， 为族群权利的合理对待仗义执言，出发点只为要建立一个真正以公义为基础的公平合理的社会。这里是我们共同居住、共同拥有的土地。我们既然是这个国家的开拓 者、建设者，就没有理由不为这里的二千六百万人的福祉说话。我们反对任何形式，包括权力与资源的垄断和支配，只因我们都不是坐享其成的寄居者。
感念创党人已故敦陈祯禄的高瞻远瞩，引领当时的华社由根深蒂固的侨民思想，转向本土的认同。及后，出于武装斗争与议会民主的两大选项夹缝中，马华毅然选择了后者，同时也正式奠立了华巫两族的政治合作基础。
及至争取国家的独立与不同时期的参 与建设，马华始终都是站在最前线。这一切的历史事实，不容任何人刻意的扭曲和否定，因此马华要致力还原历史，主张掌握历史的诠释话语权，并不是当权者的专 利。民间华社应同样认真对待、肯定和行使这项权力，才有望让后世子孙有尊严的在这片土地上拼下去。
我们坚信各族广大人民的意愿是建立一种健康合理的兄弟伙伴关系，而不是支配者与受支配者的主仆关系。这不应沦为理念口号，而应该是切切实实贯彻的一个奋斗打拼的方向。
结语：
展望未来的60年，我们珍惜所拥有的过去－在1949年， 以无比的勇气和远见，背负国人的期盼，排除万难催生马华公会。我们必须自我鞭策，持续对抗贫困，苦难和被疏离。我们强调诚实与廉洁，以及从事商务贸易、设 立大专院校，同时选择在这块土地终老一生的自由。我们矢志一如既往的服务群众，不仅是单一族群，更是全体的马来西亚国民！
自从马华在这片土地诞生开始，我们摸索、磨合、期许、失落、彷徨、迷茫、沉淀、反省，经历了很多阶段。只有义无反顾地踏出改革的关键一步，向前迈进，才能在这个瞬息万变的时代里，找出一条属于自己的康庄大道。
过去漫长的风雨同路，我们曾经并肩作战；未来的未知挑战，我们更应不离不弃，携手打拼。
马华不怕改变，更不怕深刻反思。从这一刻起，马华从过去的错误中吸取教训。马华要努力让华社、让全民看到希望，要让人民对我国的未来有信心。从这一刻起，马华要努力拼经济，要和人民一起熬过经济不景气的年代，更要让人民过上好日子。
成功的政党，要懂得如何认真面对错误、随时反省过失、纠正过、，不要重蹈覆撤。让我们迎向历史转捩点，让我们一同踏上这条只能前进、不能后退的征途，让我们为人民的福祉而努力，让我们为马华的改革转型而打拼！
谢谢！
We are here at this grand rally to celebrate 60 years of the founding of the Malaysian Chinese Association together with party members and fellow Malaysians from across the country. There is indeed a cause for celebration for the party has for six decades since its birth witnessed and experienced many challenges. We emerge battle-scarred but triumphant. We remember the struggles of our founding members to resettle and provide hope for half a million Malayan Chinese.
As we celebrate, we must be mindful of the tremendous challenges we face today. We are still grappling with the effects of the political wake-up call from 308. The full force of economic tidal wave that has reached our shores has yet to be felt.
The party has reached a milestone - one that makes or breaks us.
Our people have been yearning for good governance and efficient public delivery. Support for MCA and Barisan Nasional has been eroding simply because we have failed to live up to these escalating expectations.
These signs strike at the very heart and soul of our will. They chip away at our confidence in the future and threaten to destroy the spirit and soul of our will. It questions the very existence of our party. What do we stand for? Who do we serve? Are we able to deliver? Can we, at MCA continue to be relevant? Will there be an MCA in the next 60 years?
Like nettles, these issues, must be grasped with full consciousness that they are what they are. The people now want to talk and to be heard. They want their voice to be acted upon. When they talk, we must listen. We hear the voices from people from all walks of life, from the kampungs and from city towers. The voices echo from mosques, temples and churches, from people with different colours and who speak different languages. The message is the same – they clamour for change.
The word change is not just a convenient slogan. We should change because we believe in the contents of the change.
First and foremost, the party needs to be more proactive in engaging and playing our role in addressing the nation’s economic woes. We must do away with piecemeal and short-term solutions. Instead, we should put in the best possible ideas forward so that the people and nation benefits.
We have to ensure economic stimulus packages and aids are channeled to the most persons who most deserve them. Who benefits and how do we ensure that they eventually benefit? Transparency and accountability must be the order of the day and take the place of red-tape, delays and leakages that run foul of our genuine effort to effectively reduce income disparity.
To keep our rice bowls, we will promote micro-credit and SME financing for Malaysians based on their innovativeness and zeal to succeed, and not by whom they know and patron.
In doing so, we must stay focused and be relevant in national policy making and public delivery because we are part of the Government. As a major partner in the Barisan coalition, we are able to and should be perceived as playing this crucial role in major decision making and implementation. We must step out of our comfort zone of utilising resources for apolitical purposes.
To take a leaf from history, the “Buy Malaysian Campaign” launched in 1998 was an initiative we can be proud of. Aside from being instrumental in protecting many jobs and local businesses during the economic downturn, it represented a clear effort on the part of MCA in spearheading policy making by the government.
Looking back further, our founding fathers made several right choices for the community. We still feel the impact of those decisions today. Sir Tun Tan Cheng Lock championed the paradigm shift in psyche of the Chinese from allegiance to China to the allegiance to Malaya. Let this ring out loud clearly today. We Malaysian Chinese are not mere passengers in this country. We are here to build a nation in our home, Malaysia.
The time has come for Malaysians of all races and religions to understand and respect one another. Let us put an end to the teaching and preaching of hate perpetrated by fanaticism.
Our party founders understood the meaning of living together in a country we call home. We owe obligations to one another – not only legal obligations to obey the law and pay taxes, but wider obligations such as respecting each other’s choices and beliefs. This is the foundation of our democracy and the cornerstone of Malaysia that is civilized and decent.
This is a right enshrined in our Federal Constitution and the Rukunegara. The right to be treated as an equal Malaysian citizen will be defended by our party at all costs. We may boast the tallest buildings, the best schools, or otherwise increase our wealth and reach the stars but if such inequality persists, we will have failed. A wise man said “What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul”.
The party believes that inter-racial relations must be unshackled from the zero-sum mentality where one community gains at the expense of the other. We simply stand for the simple notion that if a person is treated with equal concern and respect as a Malaysian, he shall be accorded the freedom to choose his leaders, earn a living, provide for his family, educate his kids, practice his religion and his merits as a human person.
This was and still is the foundation in which this country is built upon. Our party, MCA, was a proactive partner in the struggle to gain independence. Premised on this spirit, our party needs to participate in mainstream politics. In doing so, we must think out of the box, be courageous and expand our roles. We need to ensure that broader policies are multi-racial and just.
As a major Barisan Nasional component party, we must stand up to injustice, and engage any other like-minded forces to seek redress on issues of public concerns. We have to be bold and we have to be loud if and when we have to.
We need to transform and energize MCA that will be fearless in championing equal opportunities and a level playing field, not only for the Chinese community, but for all Malaysians. Our fire and passion should not be misunderstood to mean disloyalty. It is our fervent belief that there is room within the Barisan fold for pluralism of views.
I do not say to you that MCA’s struggle for freedom and equality will be easy. I do not promise a quick panacea for our nation’s problems. What I promise you is that I will lead our battle, and I will enforce integrity in our struggle and I will ensure transparency. And above all, I will act.
A single man in the desert may be sovereign but is powerless. We need a strong team. We need to energise and reinvigorate the party. We need to attract the best brains and professionals to help navigate our party.
I mentioned meritocracy in our practices. MCA leaders should lead the charge by setting good examples. Aside from being passionate about serving the people and having the courage to champion their rights, our leaders must serve with a new spirit of professionalism and pro-activeness and more importantly, be guided by values and integrity in his work.
These are not just mere rhetoric. We can start with service standards and reports. We will put in place systems and mechanisms to ensure what was promised are delivered, and weed out deadwood.
Ultimately, leaders are judged by the results they produce. We must always be humble and mindful that power lies with the people. It is the people who ultimately judge who we are and what we should stand for. The people should be empowered not only with the determining voice of change, but also be empowered to actively participate in that process. MCA’s successful effort to channel school funds for development or refurbishment directly to the school board is an example of such empowerment.
We also need to empower our youths. Our future generation must have a say, given a free hand in decision making and the liberty to make things happen. They will invigorate MCA with new dynamism and serve in the party simply because they believe in the ideals and values of the party, and not claim selfish and greedy political favours. The young represent the future of our party and nation in the digital age and we hope to attract the best and brightest from amongst them into the party.
MCA will venture out and forge alliances to pave the way for a mature and enlightened generation in the future. To do this, we need to open the doors to universities and colleges, pave the way for international collaboration and upgrade the standards of our institutions. Empowerment with knowledge and skills will certainly make our youths more competitive and the party stronger in the long term. The party needs to re-invent itself and become the beacon of hope for them, and our leaders to play role models and mentors.
As we look into the next 60 years, we take stock of our past - the vision of those who, in 1949 gave birth to a courageous party which will uphold the trust of the nation. We will reinvigorate ourselves and continue with our struggles against poverty, misery, and ignorance. We will promote integrity and the freedom to do business, open up schools and universities, and the right to live the wholesome life one chooses in this country. We will continue to serve all, not a segment or a group, but for all Malaysians.
- MCA Online -
