[ Laman Ehwal Semasa ReformIS ]
Date: 02 Sep 1999
Time: 23:36:39
Remote User: -
Ulasan
Memanglah benar apa yang didesas-desuskan di kalangan rakyat bahawa masyarakat Cina khususnya masyarakat perniagaan telah meminta macam-macam yang memeningkan Si Kepala Taik. Inilah padahnya kerana memuji sangat mereka dalam perhimpunan MCA dulu. Apa dah jadi?
Kita akan lihat dia gunakan perkara ini untuk mendapatkan reaksi orang-orang melayu pula supaya terus sokong mereka.
Yang kita lihat BN telah gagal dalam aspek perpaduan kaum.
============================================================================================================================== Chinese hand Mahathir wish list of changes
The list of general-election requests touches on a range of issues from equality of treatment for the races to freedom of the press
By BRENDAN PEREIRA IN KUALA LUMPUR
CHINESE Malaysians are trying to gain maximum mileage from the Mahathir administration's campaign to win their support before the coming general election.
They have come out with a wish list, submitted to the authorities recently by 11 Chinese guilds and associations, containing demands that range from the reasonable to the impossible.
The list of "General Election Requests" touches on a range of issues from equality of treatment for the races and the building of more Chinese schools to a review of privatised projects and freedom of the press.
They wanted to see the slow breaking down of the classification between bumiputra and non-bumiputras.
The Federation of Chinese Associations of Malaysia is also toying with the idea of including another request -- that key Cabinet posts including a newly-created Second Deputy Prime Minister be set aside for the community.
Such daring request stems from the fact that Chinese, who make up 26 per cent of Malaysia's population, could make a difference at the polls, due by June.
The sacking of former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the political crisis that has caused a schism in the Malay community -- traditional supporters of the National Front -- have elevated Chinese to the role of king makers in some constituencies.
Past elections have shown the value of the Chinese vote. Normally, between 30 and 40 per cent support the opposition, about 30 per cent vote for the ruling coalition and the rest are fence-sitters.
In 1995, thanks to the country's sparkling economy and the government's more liberal policies on education, more than 50 per cent of the Chinese vote went to the National Front.
The government hopes to obtain a similar endorsement this time around.
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has been singing praises of the community's role in Malaysia's development over the past few months.
He has also met community leaders behind closed doors and promised to give their concerns on education and culture a fair hearing.
Chinese guilds and associations want to capitalise on this charm campaign, and are hopeful that some of their requests will be met.
An official of the Federation of Chinese Associations of Malaysia told The Straits Times: "The petition is reasonable and reflects the aspirations of Chinese in Malaysia."
But not everyone in the community supports the demands.
The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industries of Malaysia has rejected the petition.
Its president Datuk Lim Guan Teik said that no pressure should be mounted on the government with the election around the corner.
Others feel that jostling for Cabinet appointments is counterproductive.
Tan Sri Ngan Ching Wen, president of the Selangor Chinese Assembly, said: "The job is best left to Gerakan and MCA leaders who understand the workings of the Cabinet and know what to ask for in the government."
To keep the National Front on their toes, the 11 Chinese guilds and associations have also submitted the wish list to other political parties.
But Chinese voters are not likely to be swayed by an opposition party like PAS which wants to establish an Islamic state.
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CHANGES THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE
Their requests
HELP under the affirmative action programme to be based on need and not on colour, race or religion.
More Chinese language schools to be built.
A review of all privatisation projects.
Press freedom by doing away with the requirement of newspapers to renew their permits annually.
Why now
Some of the daring requests stem from the fact that Chinese, who make up 26 per cent of Malaysia's population, could make a difference at the polls, due by next June.
Past pattern
Past elections have shown the value of the Chinese vote. Normally, between 30 and 40 per cent support the opposition, about 30 per cent vote for the ruling coalition and the rest are fence-sitters.