Malaysian Chinese Association
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The Malaysian Chinese Association (Persatuan Cina Malaysia, MCA) (Simplified Chinese: 马华公会; pinyin: Mǎ Huá Gōng Huì; Cantonese: Ma Wah Koong Wui) is a political party in Malaysia, made up of Chinese Malaysian and one of the three major parties that make up the ruling Barisan Nasional, or National Front.
Along with the larger UMNO and the smaller Malaysian Indian Congress, the MCA has a heavy influence on the politics of the country. Through its holding company Huaren Holdings, the MCA also controls five significant newspapers: The Star, Malaysia's best-selling English newspaper; Sin Chew Jit Pao,the best-selling Chinese newspaper; and the leading and popular daily in Kuala Lumpur and Central Region, the Chinese daily China Press, Nanyang Siang Pau, and smaller daily, Guang Ming.
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[edit] Formation history
The Malaysian Chinese Association was formed on 27 February 1949 as the Malayan Chinese Association by the Kuomintang members as an alternative and also opposition to the Malayan Communist Party; This formation was with implicit support by post War British Reoccupation Authority.
The first leaders of the MCA were Kuomintang (KMT) Army leaders. Mr Leong Yew Koh, was a KMT major general who became a cabinet minister and later became governor of Malacca; Malaysia's first minister of finance, Tun Henry H.S. Lee, was a colonel; Dr Lim Chong Eu, the leader of the Radical Party, and joined the MCA in 1952, was a colonel (medical) doctor in the Kuomintang.
At that time, the MCA members then was divided according to their respective home states. Tun Tan Cheng Lock, who was a member of the Malayan Anti-Japanese League, was its inaugural president. Tun Tan Cheng Lock did not enter the cabinet on independence. This is believed to be because his rival, Tun H.S. Lee, from Selangor, was in. Others thought that this is because of health reasons.
[edit] Post May 1969 riots
The third Malaysian general elections were held on May 10, 1969. Of the 33 parliamentary seats contested, MCA managed only to retain 13. MCA lost control of the Penang State Government. In 1974, Tan Siew Sin resigned from all party and government posts on April 8 for health reasons.
[edit] New generation leaders and 21st Century
Next generation leaders born after 1969, grown up and educated in Malaysia have yet to contribute in a large way and make themselves felt on national and international level, not just in community service, technological/scientific achievements and also policy making.
[edit] List of presidents
- Tun Tan Cheng Lock (27 February 1949 - March 1958)
- Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu (March 1958 - July 1959)
- Dr. Cheah Toon Lok (Acting) (July 1959 - November 1961)
- Tun Tan Siew Sin (November 1961 - April 1974)
- Tan Sri Lee San Choon (April 1974 - March 1983)
- Datuk Dr. Neo Yee Pan (Acting) (March 1983 - November 1985)
- Tan Koon Swan (November 1985 - September 1986)
- Tun Dr. Ling Liong Sik (September 1986 - May 2003)
- Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting (May 2003 - Present)
[edit] Public opinions and criticism
As an organisation that seeks to represents the people in legitimate elections, MCA has yet to evolved from its historical roles into the 21st century. For example, in terms of usage of IT and making available its decisions and results in available and digital format, it gives itself a cloak of plausible deniability instead of taking responsibility and making a stand for its actions. Then again, this is not unique to this organisation but just a representation of trends of the ruling political parties in Malaysia like MIC, UMNO etc.
In the same vein as the Kuomintang, some segments of population views the MCA's leaders are as corrupt and inscrutable due to this lack of accountability, transparency and responsibility.
Public feels that the "rights" (as distinct from Constitution rights) of the Chinese in Malaysia were pawned by the MCA for business connections and opportunities. The MCA plundered its own people in Malaysia as the Kuomintang did to China and later the early inhabitants of Taiwan. Until today, the MCA while on the surface seems to represent the interests of the ethnic Chinese minorities in Malaysia but in reality it only represented the interests of party members and big businesses while token attention and small concessions were paid to the common people during election year to gain votes.
The sad part is, due to the geo-proximity pressure of China PRC's economic and political rise, Kuomintang (based in Taiwan ROC) over the years had transformed itself into a more democratic political party while the MCA still reeks corruption and still practiced racial politics against its own people for personal financial gains.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Chin, James (2006)New Chinese Leadership in Malaysia: The Contest for the MCA and Gerakan Presidency Contemporary Southeast Asia (CSEA), Vol. 28, No. 1 (April 2006).
- Chin, James (2000). "A New Balance: The Chinese Vote in the 1999 Malaysian General Election". South East Asia Research 8 (3), 281–299.
- Chin, James (2001). "Malaysian Chinese Politics in the 21st Century: Fear, Service and Marginalisaton". Asian Journal of Political Science 9 (2), 78–94
- Goh, Cheng Teik (1994). Malaysia: Beyond Communal Politics. Pelanduk Publications. ISBN 967-978-475-4.
- Pillai, M.G.G. (November 3, 2005). "National Front parties were not formed to fight for Malaysian independence". Malaysia Today.
- MCA Official History [1]
[edit] External links
| Political parties in Malaysia |  |
| National Front:
United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) | Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) | Malaysian People's Movement Party (Gerakan) | Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) | People's Progressive Party (PPP) | United Traditional Bumiputera Party (PBB) | Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) | Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) | United Sabah Party (PBS) | Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) | United Sabah People's Party (PBRS) | United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO) | Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) | Sarawak People's Party (PRS) |
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| Alternative Front:
Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) | People's Justice Party (PKR) |
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| Other Parties:
Democratic Action Party (DAP) | Malaysian People's Party (PRM) | Malaysian Workers' Party (PPM) | Malaysian Dayak Congress (MDC) | Pan Malaysian Islamic Front (BERJASA) | Sarawak National Party (SNAP) | Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress (KIMMA) | United Pasok Nunukragang National Organization (PASOK) | Community Coalition Congress (CCC) | Federated Sabah People's Front (BERSEKUTU) | United Democratic Sabah People's Power Party (SETIA) | State Reform Party (STAR) | Malaysian People's Justice Front (AKIM) | Malaysian Democratic Party (MDP) | All Malaysian Indian Progressive Front (AMIPF) | Punjabi Party of Malaysia (PPM) | Sarawak Native People's Party (PBDS) | Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) |
