KUALA LUMPUR: All parties in the unity government should prioritise capturing the hearts of the people, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The MCA president recited a poem in Malay, saying: "Dulu lawan kini kawan, Dulu kawan kini lawan, Tak kisah lawan ataupun kawan, Yang penting hati rakyat patut ditawan. (Once foes now friends, Former friends turned foes, No matter foes or friends, what matters is to capture the people's hearts)."
"What is important is to move on and to build a nation post-GE15," he said during the unity government convention on Sunday (May 14).
He said that the new political landscape required political parties to be more dynamic and inclusive.
"Current politics is about diversity of ideas and thinking. This is unlike the 1990s and does not only look at political identity," he said.
He added that politicking that was detrimental to the nation and people should stop.
Dr Wee also said that MCA had always been an agent of unity for the nation's diverse community.
"What is important for us is to forge closer relationships among all races in Malaysia," he said.
Dr Wee said the task was challenging considering the country's racial, religious and cultural diversity.
He said the goal of building a national race is in line with the stance MCA has consistently taken.
He cited a quote from MCA founder Tun Tan Cheng Lock: "MCA must work for all and be broad minded. It's not just for the Chinese but for all Malaysians."
Dr Wee said although the party's membership is seen to be from a particular race, MCA was a pioneer in realising power-sharing among races - even before Merdeka.
He also said that without stability, there would be chaos and division in the country, which would negatively affect the economy and the people.
