MCA has right to speak up against flawed policies, says Dr Wee

KUALA LUMPUR: By playing a “check and balance” role in the democratic system, it is MCA’s right to speak up when policies have a negative impact, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The MCA president said the party supports the unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“However, MCA does not sit in the federal Cabinet and we are not involved in policy-making at the ministry or Cabinet level.

“Our (MCA) role in Parliament remains as a check and balance in the democratic system.

“If the government’s policies are good and benefit the people, MCA will definitely provide 100% of its support but if we feel the policies have a negative impact on the people, MCA will speak up even though DAP looks down on the two MCA representatives in the Dewan Rakyat,” he said in a statement on Sunday (Jan 7).

Dr Wee was commenting on statements made by DAP vice-chairman Teresa Kok in an interview with Utusan Malaysia on Sunday (Jan 7) where Kok was quoted as saying MCA was “lost” when asked about the relationship between DAP and MCA in the unity government.

Dr Wee said the question posed by the portal was if both parties had a cordial relationship which could have been answered.

“She has made some baseless claims and gone off-topic.

“Teresa claimed that I have only ‘attacked’ DAP’s secretary-general Anthony Loke, which is slanderous of her.

“While it is true that I have raised two issues related to the Transport Ministry, currently led by Loke.

“Am I to blame for speaking up?” he asked.

Dr Wee said the first thing he raised was regarding the use of Malaysians’ personal data regarding the information of 33 million vehicle owners in the MyJPJ system.

“When I was Transport Minister, the Road Transport Department (JPJ) urged me to launch the MyJPJ application, but I refused because I was not comfortable with its security features that contained risks of information leaks.

“With a new minister, the MyJPJ application was soon launched.

“It is the negative reaction of the users alone that prompted me to speak up,” he said.

Dr Wee said upon raising the issue JPJ had admitted the mistake and corrected the information leak in the MyJPJ system.

He said the other issue raised was about airfares to Sabah and Sarawak.

“Eventually, Malaysia Airlines Group obtained an injunction from the court to ban AirAsia’s SuperApp, as did Batik Air.

“The issue of air fares is indeed still a problem under this government and finally the Madani government decided to subsidise fares ahead of the festive season.

“If my allegation is unfounded, then the government would not feel the need to subsidise airfares.

“Both the constructive criticisms were for the good of the people,” he said.

Dr Wee said as a member of Parliament, he had spoken up for the people whether it be inside or outside the Dewan Rakyat.

“Remember the issue of imported eggs from India under the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry which eventually stopped the importing of eggs.

“I even spoke out about the issue of DuitNow’s QR Code fee waiver under the Finance Ministry and eventually all banks waived the charge.

“Most recently, the sales and service tax (SST) to be imposed on traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) services.

“I appealed to the government to waive the SST that patients who receive T&CM treatment will have to bear,” he said.

Dr Wee said Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian and Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii (from DAP) made the same call after he spoke up.

“Then would I be accused of conspiring with Sim and Yii to tarnish the government’s image?” he asked.

Dr Wee said it was his right and responsibility to speak up.

“Please respect and celebrate differences of opinion and freedom of expression,” he said.