MCA’s Ti Lian Ker has vowed to continue speaking against “blind obedience” to Barisan Nasional (BN), following suggestions of irresponsibility on his part by way of his recent criticism of the party.
The former MCA vice-president said while the party should remain loyal to the coalition, “loyalty does not mean silence”.
In a Facebook post, Ti – who has been pushing for a decision by the MCA leadership on its future with BN – said that loyalty without courage was servitude.
“And servitude does not win elections.
“I will continue to uphold the struggle of MCA and BN, but not through sycophancy, not through blind obedience, and not through silence,” he said, adding that politics could not be sustained in the presence of these elements.
He also predicted a bleak future for MCA if the party was seen as weak, or promoting and tolerating the culture of “errand boys”.
“Such habits may please superiors in the short term, but they will never restore any party’s credibility, nor save BN’s damaged popularity,” he said.
Ti was responding to MCA Youth information chief Neow Choo Seong, who had defended the party’s approach to its future in BN, describing it as responsible politics rather than “dragging its feet”.
Neow said MCA must consult its members at every level before making a final decision, and warned against reckless action.
Neow also urged Ti to offer constructive solutions instead of casting doubt from the sidelines.
“I hope you will be more responsible and sensible when expressing your opinions. Differences are respected, but everyone must adhere to the party’s principles, values, and discipline,” Neow said yesterday, in a social media post directed at Ti.
On a related matter, Ti said he had never advocated abandoning BN as a first option, citing pressure on the party to leave the coalition after its loss in the 2018 general election.
Ti said he had asked then president Liow Tiong Lai to resist such calls.
“And I proceeded to make an unpopular public statement that MCA should not abandon BN unless it was dissolved collectively. I have remained consistent, even at the cost of political risk, sabotage, and resentment from within,” he said.
