Ex-MCA leader blames Umno for Chinese voter exodus since '04
Published: May 3, 2025 11:58 AM
Updated: 3:21 PM
Summary
- Former MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker blames Umno for the decline in Chinese voter support for MCA since 2004, citing incidents involving Umno leaders that alienated non-Malay voters.
- He cites “keris-wielding” episodes at Umno general assemblies, the forced withdrawal of a minority rights memorandum, and accusations against tycoon Robert Kuok as key factors.
- These remarks are a response to Umno’s criticism of MCA’s poor electoral performance, with the MCA leader suggesting Umno’s actions have damaged the BN coalition.
A former MCA leader has pointed the finger at Umno for missteps that allegedly caused the former’s support from the Chinese community to steadily decline in the last two decades.
Former MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker claimed that a string of incidents, largely involving Umno leaders, led to widespread dissatisfaction and alienation among non-Malay voters, particularly the Chinese, damaging BN’s multiracial appeal.
According to Free Malaysia Today, he said the shift began in the early 2000s but accelerated following the controversial “keris-wielding” episodes by then-Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein during the party’s general assemblies in 2005 and 2007.
“These incidents did not sit well with the Chinese community,” Ti reportedly said.
Then-Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein wielding a keris at an Umno general assembly
“Especially after MCA had persuaded the community to back Dr Mahathir Mohamad in his spat with Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, as well as support Abdullah Ahmad Badawi later,” he added, referencing the 1988 Umno internal crisis and subsequent leadership transition.
“And we (MCA) were guilty by association and ended up as collateral damage.”
Ti said tensions further escalated in 2006 when non-Muslim cabinet ministers were compelled to withdraw a memorandum urging then-prime minister Abdullah to safeguard minority religious rights.
This episode, he said, reinforced perceptions of MCA’s weakened influence within the BN coalition.
Although Hishammuddin later apologised for brandishing a keris - a gesture seen by many as racially provocative - Ti said the damage was already done, with political analysts widely crediting such incidents as turning points in the opposition’s gains during the 2008 general election.
Accusations against Kuok
It took another two general elections before BN lost control of Putrajaya in 2018, but Ti targeted another Umno leader, Nazri Aziz, for his accusations against tycoon Robert Kuok that angered the Chinese community.
He recalled Nazri’s accusations that Kuok, who is residing in Hong Kong, was a funder for DAP’s alleged bid to topple the BN government.
He also said the former Padang Serai MP refused to apologise for his “pondan” slur against Kuok, after the latter did not take up a challenge to contest in the 2018 election.
“Especially after MCA had persuaded the community to back Dr Mahathir Mohamad in his spat with Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, as well as support Abdullah Ahmad Badawi later,” he added, referencing the 1988 Umno internal crisis and subsequent leadership transition.
“And we (MCA) were guilty by association and ended up as collateral damage.”
Ti said tensions further escalated in 2006 when non-Muslim cabinet ministers were compelled to withdraw a memorandum urging then-prime minister Abdullah to safeguard minority religious rights.
This episode, he said, reinforced perceptions of MCA’s weakened influence within the BN coalition.
Although Hishammuddin later apologised for brandishing a keris - a gesture seen by many as racially provocative - Ti said the damage was already done, with political analysts widely crediting such incidents as turning points in the opposition’s gains during the 2008 general election.
Accusations against Kuok
It took another two general elections before BN lost control of Putrajaya in 2018, but Ti targeted another Umno leader, Nazri Aziz, for his accusations against tycoon Robert Kuok that angered the Chinese community.
He recalled Nazri’s accusations that Kuok, who is residing in Hong Kong, was a funder for DAP’s alleged bid to topple the BN government.
He also said the former Padang Serai MP refused to apologise for his “pondan” slur against Kuok, after the latter did not take up a challenge to contest in the 2018 election.
Former Umno minister Nazri Aziz
Ti’s remarks came in response to criticism by Umno supreme council member Puad Zarkashi, who recently urged MCA to reflect on its declining support, pointing out that the party only secured two parliamentary seats in the last election.
Puad insisted that MCA’s poor electoral performance had nothing to do with BN’s leadership, and suggested the party look inward rather than blame others.
This followed MCA secretary-general Chong Sin Woon’s call for the party to determine its own direction if BN continues to delay key decisions on its future.
Defending his party colleague, Ti said Chong was voicing legitimate concerns, particularly over Umno’s growing proximity to Pakatan Harapan, especially the DAP.
“Umno cannot continue to shut its component parties out or leave them in the dark, as this will mean that Umno is selling out BN in favour of DAP - which in the long run could spell the end of BN,” he said.
MCA vice-president Tan Teik Cheng had previously echoed similar sentiments, stressing the need for the party to reassess its role based on the evolving political landscape.
Ti’s remarks came in response to criticism by Umno supreme council member Puad Zarkashi, who recently urged MCA to reflect on its declining support, pointing out that the party only secured two parliamentary seats in the last election.
Puad insisted that MCA’s poor electoral performance had nothing to do with BN’s leadership, and suggested the party look inward rather than blame others.
This followed MCA secretary-general Chong Sin Woon’s call for the party to determine its own direction if BN continues to delay key decisions on its future.
Defending his party colleague, Ti said Chong was voicing legitimate concerns, particularly over Umno’s growing proximity to Pakatan Harapan, especially the DAP.
“Umno cannot continue to shut its component parties out or leave them in the dark, as this will mean that Umno is selling out BN in favour of DAP - which in the long run could spell the end of BN,” he said.
MCA vice-president Tan Teik Cheng had previously echoed similar sentiments, stressing the need for the party to reassess its role based on the evolving political landscape.
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kt comments:
Main problem is DAP won't give way to MCA contesting in GE
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