KUALA LUMPUR – Former MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker believes the party faces an uphill battle to regain the trust of the Chinese electorate, even if it chooses to break away from Barisan Nasional (BN).
Speaking to Scoop, Ti suggested that decades of entrenched political leanings among Chinese voters make it difficult for MCA to reclaim lost ground. He said the community tends to stand firm once a decision is made, and pride often prevents a reconsideration of political choices.
Ti claimed that DAP has been able to maintain its grip on Chinese support not by fulfilling past promises, but by banking on the community’s reluctance to admit they were misled.
“(Plus) the Chinese do not want to open their eyes because they do not want to concede (to the fact that) they have been politically scammed or cheated (by DAP). That Ubah (slogan by Pakatan Harapan) comes to nothing,” he said.
He argued that promises once heavily touted – such as recognising the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), reinstating local council elections, or removing Bumiputera quotas – are now rarely discussed, even among Chinese associations or community leaders.
“As far as (DAP) is concerned, it is best to say nothing or not do anything but to continue pulling wool over the eyes of these voters and be silent,” he said, adding that MCA must tread carefully if it hopes to win back support.
Ti further alleged that DAP had previously courted support from PAS in the past, but is using the fear of PAS gaining power to ensure that the Chinese community continuously supports the party.
“… and DAP successfully mongered them on the possibility of PAS coming to power if they do not support the present unity government, conveniently forgetting that they have sung ‘The Moon Represents My Heart’ and convinced the Chinese to vote PAS in the past,” he said.
‘Face’ and the ‘Ah Q’ syndrome
According to Ti, political sentiments in the Chinese community are also shaped by the concept of “mianzi”, or saving face.
He likened this to the “Ah Q mentality”, a reference to Lu Xun’s satirical character who deludes himself into a sense of moral victory despite real setbacks.
“If you confront or tell them in their face that they have been cheated (by DAP), they would be unhappy or even angry, for you have shamed them. That is why MCA also has to tread carefully here since the political psyche of the Chinese is about face or ‘mian zi’,” he said.
“They will continue to say, give them time to rule or look the other way, even if DAP had failed or cheated them blatantly. Again is the face or ‘mianzi’ that matters rather than admitting to a mistake or having been cheated.”
He said many in the community see the fall of the BN government in 2018 as a hard-fought achievement, even if little has changed in terms of governance since then.
Discontent within MCA
Ti’s remarks follow recent statements by MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon, who proposed that the party should chart its own path in light of BN’s continued lack of direction.
At a Selayang division meeting last month, Chong reportedly said MCA had waited over two years for clarity from BN, and suggested that the party consider forging its own route.
“If it continues to show a lack of clear direction, I believe MCA should take control of its future by setting its own course,” Chong was quoted as saying by The Star.
Despite being part of the unity government since 2022, MCA did not receive any ministerial or deputy ministerial appointments. The party also sat out the 2023 state elections after being denied the opportunity to contest any seats. These frustrations have since been aired publicly by party leaders.
Years to recover
Ti believes it could take at least two general elections before MCA sees any meaningful resurgence in support, saying voters need to first come to terms with what he claims was a political deception by DAP.
He noted that while some in the Chinese business community are growing disillusioned with the current state of affairs, this has yet to translate into significant electoral consequences.
“At present, the Chinese business community is coming to a realisation that things are not changing for the better, but are getting worse,” he said. “But it’s not enough to cause DAP to lose their seats.”
He added that many disillusioned voters may choose not to vote at all, rather than switch their allegiance.
“By and large, the masses are still in a brainwashed condition to hate MCA because of their association with Umno,” he said.
He also acknowledged that MCA itself must address unresolved internal issues if it hopes to rebuild its standing or consider new partnerships.
“The party’s leaders are not as versatile as their DAP counterparts in political theatrics,” he said. “Most of the older leaders are either too lazy, too complacent, or too comfortable in their own comfort zone to explore new horizons.” – May 20, 2025