MCA: Nothing wrong with CPC link

PETALING JAYA: MCA has slammed Perkasa for implying that the party had erred in signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Communist Party of China (CPC).
MCA Religious Harmony Bureau chairman Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker said Perkasa had singled out MCA's links with CPC but overlooked the fact that Umno had also inked an MoU with CPC in 2010.
He said Umno secretary general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor signed the MoU on youth leadership exchange cooperation.
Ti asked why Perkasa remained silent when Umno invites CPC to its annual general meeting every year.
He pointed out that apart from MCA, Umno and other Barisan Nasional component parties also sent its cadres to the China Executive Leadership Academy in Pudong for training.
"It seems that Perkasa is attempting to strike discord between the Malay and Chinese communities under the shallow xenophobic fear-mongering disguise of 'communist-infiltration-a-danger-to-the-country'."
He said other than CPC, MCA also enjoys good relations with political parties from Indonesia, Taiwan as well as the People's Action Party of Singapore.
Ti called on Perkasa and similar quarters to stop their "Chinese phobia" and MCA-bashing just because MCA is seen to be civil and moderate in its approach.
"MCA will continue to walk the path of moderation and uphold sound principles for the greater good of the nation," he said.
Ti reminded Perkasa that in 1974, then prime minister Tun Abdul Razak established diplomatic relations with China, making Malaysia the first Asean country to do so.
He said after that visit, chairman Mao Zedong urged Malaysian Chinese not to support the Malayan Communist Party and be loyal citizens instead.