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FORMER MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker delivered a blunt critique of party president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, arguing that the latter squandered a pivotal moment during MCA’s annual general meeting by focusing on attacks against DAP instead of confronting the party’s deepening decline.
In a strongly worded statement titled “The Speech Wee Ka Siong Should Have Given — But Didn’t”, Ti said the AGM should have been used to “reset MCA’s political direction at a moment of near-existential decline,” but instead reverted to familiar narratives that no longer resonate with voters.
Ti criticised Wee for spending “precious AGM airtime attacking DAP with the familiar ‘UEC and Chinese schools’ script” rather than addressing the structural issues eroding MCA’s relevance.
“He should have left the oft-repeated criticism of DAP to the people, the grassroots, the commentators and social media influencers,” Ti said.
“These issues are food for them, not the President of MCA, whose political statements should spur debate and capture headlines.”
He added that Wee’s strategy reflected a “safe player” mindset, focusing on “low-hanging fruits” instead of bold political direction.
‘The hard truth he avoided’
According to Ti, the AGM should have spotlighted the party’s internal challenges and credibility rather than DAP’s shortcomings.
“The hard truth he avoided is that MCA is in an existential crisis.”
“We are not losing because people misunderstand us. MCA is losing because we are no longer seen as inspiring confidence, relevance, or urgency,” he added.
He pointed out several indicators of the party’s erosion including having no seats in Sabah, absence of youth participation, marginal presence in the peninsular and continued rejection from urban Chinese voters.
Instead of confronting these structural issues, the MCA president, Ti said, “retreated into the comfort of blaming DAP, reheating UEC grievances and replaying 1990s political narratives where we have already lost.”
Call for structural reinvention
Ti stressed that the AGM should have focused on “tactical, radical reform,” underscoring the urgency of party renewal.
“The elephant in the room — and what delegates were waiting to hear — is MCA’s future and leadership,” he said.
Wee’s tenure ends in 2027, and Ti suggested that members are anxious about whether the transition will be smooth or trigger yet another internal conflict.
‘This AGM should not have been about DAP’
Ti also took a swipe at The Star’s headline, “Dr Wee: DAP Is Not MCA 2.0,” noting that the newspaper—owned by MCA—was repeating a line he himself had previously used sarcastically.
“This AGM should not have been about DAP’s failures,” he emphasised. “It should have been about MCA’s survival and MCA’s leadership optics.”
A missed chance at a critical moment
By focusing on political nostalgia instead of renewal, Ti suggested that Wee missed a rare moment to offer clarity, direction and urgency.
What the president should have done, he said, was to acknowledge MCA’s weaknesses, articulate a future-oriented plan, and confront the leadership transition head-on.
Instead, Ti argued, the party walked away from the AGM with the same unresolved questions — and even fewer answers. – December 7, 2025