KUANTAN: Malaysians have to move past the politics of personalities and support politics that truly benefit the country, says MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker (pic).
He said while unity was encouraged, the whole nation should not confine itself to personality politics, where such unity was monopolised by individuals.
Ti added that these personalities and their conflicts had put a shackle on the country’s politics and economy.
“We have been stuck in this cycle of politics dominated by past figures and their conflicts for too long.
“What we need to aspire for is politics of value, philosophy, of direction that fulfills the needs of the people and the country,” he told reporters after closing the WoW4U@i-LEAD seminar here on Saturday (April 2).
Ti was asked for comments on the possible cooperation between parties such as Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia and Parti Pejuang Tanah Air in the 15th General Election.
Pejuang chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, however, had made it clear that he would not support Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Meanwhile, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang did not dismiss the possibility of cooperation with Pejuang.
When asked about MCA’s relationship with PAS, Ti said MCA had never excluded working with other parties as long as it was in line with the Constitution, moral values and for the sake of the people and country.
“MCA has always operated on moderate grounds in line with the Constitution. We have never run away from that even though we represent a community.
“Even then, this representation must be part of the big picture of a Malaysian family. MCA is not fighting to glorify the Chinese community and its values. We are the voice of a community to blend into this big picture in line with the Constitution and local values,” he said.
On the WoW4U@i-LEAD seminar, Ti, who is the Deputy Youth and Sports Minister, said the Women of Wisdom programme organised by the Institute of Leadership Excellence and Development (i-LEAD) under the ministry would have a targeted participation of 5,000 young female leaders from different backgrounds this year.
He said the implementation of the programme was in line with the government’s aspiration in developing a competitive and resilient human capital by empowering young women.
“Programmes all this while have been more conservative and traditional. We want to come up with programmes to meet the demands of the new generation when previous programmes may no longer be suitable with their lifestyle,” said Ti.
Besides the WoW4U@i-LEAD seminar, there were also the WoWTalk@i-LEAD and WoWCare events under the programme, he said.
