After the March general elections, Datuk Chor Chee Heung has become MCA's only member of parliament in northern Malaysia.

In the coming party elections, Chor is taking up the challenge once again, with his sight set on the VP post.

He said he is not doing this for personal glory but to boost the morale of the northern region and get the party back on its feet again for the next general elections.

"Outspokenness" has become the benchmark for MCA candidates in the upcoming party elections. But to Chor, an outspoken leader may not always be a hero, and true bravery comes only with persistence after outspokenness.

He said during an exclusive interview with Sin Chew Daily that other than supporting Datuk Ong Tee Keat and Ong Ka Chuan, he also explained why he has not been able to support the other candidates.

As for heated topics such as the withdrawal of MCA from BN and whether BN can become a singular party, he said these are just idealistic rhetorics, and as a pragmatist, he only talks about proposals that are viable now or in the near future.

Consider playing a more important role

Q: Why are you making a comeback and running for vice presidency again?

A: I always say I'm a hero created by the environment. There're many talented leaders within MCA, and many who could make major contributions towards the party and nation.

Unfortunately, many with great potentials were drowned in the March 8 political tsunami, making me the only remaining MCA MP for the northern region, which in turn has given me the opportunity to become a deputy minister. This has also allowed me to consider playing a more important role in the party.

Q: Is your status as the only MCA MP from the north an advantage?

A: Not necessarily, because VP is a national post, and it's not a must for the northern region to have a VP. However, after the March elections, from Selangor all the way north to Alor Setar are Pakatan-ruled states, and MCA should focus more on these states.

Indeed, the grassroots in the northern states have wanted a leader holding a senior party post to lead them through the next general elections.

Q: Then a Cabinet post must be an advantage?

A: I lost in the last party election probably because it was not the right time for me. But this time, I hope the time has come. However, if I am defeated again, I'll treat it as part of the democratic process.

As a matter of fact, holding a Cabinet post does not guarantee a victory in the party election, although I'm at an advantage compared to those without any Cabinet post.

That said, if a Cabinet minister does not work hard for the party or the Chinese community, then his Cabinet post may not work to his favour.

Q: Will you lose your Cabinet post if you lose this election?

A: Not really. Besides, I've never really bothered about having or not having a Cabinet post. Even if I get elected, I'll still be happy to relinquish my Cabinet post if asked by the party.

I've been a parliamentary secretary and deputy minister, and that should be enough. I should make the opportunity availabe to new guys.

On being outspoken and a hero

Q: Is a leader who's bold enough to voice up against UMNO a hero?

A: I wouldn't call that a hero. As a leader, we must do what we say. The party delegates can tell whether a leader is truly a hero.

If he says one thing inside the room with UMNO leaders, but another thing outside, such a leader is not qualified to represent the Chinese community.

Q: But we've seen that many leaders like to protrude their outspoken image.

A: I can tell you I won't do that. If the circumstances do not allow me to openly raise certain issues to UMNO, then I won't raise them, otherwise, I will definitely raise the issues. We must be responsible to the party and party members for what we say and do, as we perform our duties mandated by them.

Q: Do you think we can get the problems solved just by being outspoken?

A: That will depend on "where" and "when." It's not wrong to be outspoken, but we have to persist till the end.

If you're only pretending to be outspoken, you'll forget after two days. Let's say the party has reached some conclusion on the ISA, then we must hook onto it and persist all the way.

On the ISA

Q: You did not seem to clearly express your stand on the recent ISA arrests...

A: I could say loudly that when I was informed that Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng was detained, I was the first to contact the home minister and argue with him. I also called up other MCA leaders at once in a bid to seek a solution to this matter. Many people do not know about this, for I don't think it necessary to speak up.

I'm a MCA member as well as deputy home minister. I agree with the MCA leadership's viewpoints, so I bring the party's viewpoints into my ministry, but I couldn't have possibly criticised my minister in front of outsiders unless I'm ready to call it quits.

But what good have I done to the Chinese community if I quit my Cabinet post? The problem would never be resolved if there're no representatives in the government.

Q: Do you think the ISA should be abolished or amended?

A: The party feels that it should be either abolished or amended, but I think otherwise.

Three years ago, before the Hindraf incident, not many people would voice their opinions on the ISA. There were more than 60 detainees back then, most of them were allegedly involved in terror activities.

I feel that if the Act has not been abused, it should help preserve social stability. However, I absolutely do not agree that it was used against Raja Petra Kamarudin, Teresa Kok, Hindraf and the reporter, because they did not have a collective plan to disrupt social harmony.

If the ISA is not doing anything good for the country at all, then similar security acts should not have existed in democratic countries like the US and UK.

Q: The problem is, the ISA arrest warrants are now signed only by one single minister.

A: It's alright for only one minister to sign the arrest warrants, but before a final decision is made, we must carefully vet and screen the cases and submit to the minister for consideration and approval. Along the way, the vetting process is where the key problem is.

Q: Then do you agree to set up the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC)?

A: Yes. I hope it will be set up as soon as possible. The government has not said it's not going to set up the commission, but some of the contents need to be amended first.

On Tee Keat and Ka Chuan

Q: What kind of president and deputy president does MCA need?

A: I feel that the Ong Tee Keat-Ong Ka Chuan pair should be perfect.

Although people criticise Tee Keat as a lone ranger, I believe most central delegates will accept him. As for Ka Chuan, I don't see his contest for the deputy presidency as the continuation of the "Ong Dynasty" just because his brother Ka Ting is the MCA president. That will be unfair to him.

Singapore is a very good example. Lee Hsien Loong is a talented leader, but should he be barred from becoming the prime minister simply because his father was one.

The most important thing is Tee Keat and Ka Chuan can show the results.

Q: So Ka Chuan is your ideal candidate for deputy president. What do you think makes him better than Ka Ting?

A: Ka Chuan has been in politics for well over 20 years, and has been 4-term state exco member. Even though his leadership has not been very outstanding, he has the experience.

On blemishes of leaders

Q: How about Chua Jui Meng and Chua Soi Lek?

A: Chua Jui Meng is a good leader, but he has left politics for some time.

Soi Lek is also a capable leader, but unfortunately he has some moral blemishes. To MCA, we can't afford to have a leader with blemishes.

Otherwise, I absolutely believe he has the capability to lead MCA.

Q: Donald Lim?

A: If he has not lost his parliamentary seat in the election, perhaps he could bring the party to another pinnacle. For him, the problem is not about capability, but he must just let someone else lead the party for the time being.

Q: Since you support the Tee Keat-Ka Chuan pair, do you see yourself as part of the team?

A: Not at all. I only feel that they are the most suitable candidates. I can work with any leader.

On whether MCA should withdraw itself from BN

Q: Do you think MCA should leave BN?

A: This is not an issue we must discuss right now. Where should MCA be headed to after leaving BN? Instead of forming an alliance with other parties, why not try to change the existing partners?

Q: Don't you think it will be better for BN to have only one Chinese-based component party?

A: This is a very idealised thinking, just as the merger between MCA and Gerakan. However, we must consider how to settle the non-Chinese members within Gerakan.

Q: How about UMNO veteran Tengku Razaleigh's proposal to set up a single party for BN?

A: That's a great idea. I support it, but I think it's not time yet. (Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily)