About a decade ago, what the Chinese wanted they got via MCA or Najib Razak, then prime minister of Malaysia.

When the Chinese wanted to have a more level playing field, Najib Razak announced in a Chinese community dinner that “the government will introduce purely merit-based public scholarships by next year,” and indicated that his administration’s intent was to completely do away with race-based quotas in more sectors.

That was in 2009 when the prime minister asserted that he believed quotas were bad and that he wanted to create a win-win situation for all Malaysians.

When MCA conveyed that the Chinese wanted UEC (Unified Examination Certificate) to be recognized, Annuar Musa, then Umno information chief, came out in the open to support the recognition of UEC. This was subsequently incorporated into BN’s manifesto as a political conviction.

Najib Razak, who was the education minister, abolished the Internal Security Act (ISA), amended the Education Act 1966, and asserted that the existence of Chinese schools should not be questioned anymore.

He had also gone one step further to remove the education minister’s powers to close down Chinese schools provided under the Act by abolishing this right, a war cry by DAP and Chinese educationists for decades.

The above are just some examples of how far Najib Razak had stood his ground against ultra-Malays and possible political backlashes.

In 2017, he allowed the establishment of 10 new Chinese primary schools and the relocation of six. This was unprecedented, something Dr. Mahathir or Anwar Ibrahim dared not do when they were strongest in Umno.

It was also a major political breakthrough for MCA on Chinese education in appeasing the demands of local Chinese educationists and DAP.

Unfortunately, all these giving-in to the Chinese community did not produce political returns or dividends to the PM or BN then.

The Chinese were still in a “greedy” mood. They were politically “scammed” into believing that what they wanted, they would get if DAP came to power, or “apa Cina mau, Cina DAPat!”

The DAP outright promised the Chinese a political dream of a bed of roses. They would never believe then that one day they would be sharing a bed with Umno whom they had hated so much.

The Chinese were politically “scammed” into believing that what they wanted, they would get if DAP came to power.

The DAP website in Mandarin has everything, from promising to bring back English as the official language, to allowing Tamil and Mandarin to be used in Dewan Negeri and Parliament. There are also promises of doing away the “bumiputera” distinction under the “Malaysian Malaysia” concept and to have a race-free equal right country.

To further fire up the Chinese electorate, in particular, the DAP promised inter alias:

1. To introduce meritocracy and do away with race-based policies practiced by BN.

2. Freehold titles or 999-year leases for Chinese new villages.

3. Local government elections.

4. Zero corruption and putting Tun Mahathir in jail (but returned him as PM7 instead).

5. Recognition of UEC.

The above were issues strategically used to incite the Chinese sentiment. Their dreamy eyes saw no wrongs in DAP and were made to hate MCA and Umno to the point of being radical and extreme.

In one of the gatherings of my Universiti Malaya law faculty course mates, I was shocked to see an old friend swearing to put an end to Umno’s rule and corruption. I used to know him as a mild, soft and gentle Christian apolitical soul. But suddenly he was turned into a political radical right before my eyes!

That was before. That was when they believed in Ubah, Bersih, Ini Kali Lah, Save Malaysia, CAT, etc. That was when the Chinese voters, in particular, were made to believe “apa Cina mau, Cina boleh DAPat” or what the Chinese want, they can get with DAP!

Now DAP is the most dominant party in the Unity Government with the highest number of Members of Parliament.

They have radicalized Chinese voters to hate Umno and to now embrace Umno as their latest “Malay trophy.”

Let’s hope this relationship will last and not pass for the sake of our unity and harmony.

They used to flirt with PAS but now paints the Islamist party as the “Green Monster” riding on a Green Wave coming to their doorsteps!

Coming back to the topic “apa Cina mau.” Now that DAP has succeeded in maneuvering themselves to power and is in the government, the Chinese have suddenly turned silent. Any more demands or requests?

Menteri Besar of Pahang Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail stated publicly that DAP had given Umno unconditional support to form the state government. This is unprecedented, as our customary practice after every election is for the MCA or its representatives to sit down with the menteri besar or prime minister to ask for some political concessions or dividends for the Chinese community.

This is what politics in a political coalition means, but we were told by the MB and also PM that DAP members in the cabinet did not raise any issues that might cause the ire of others. Bravo!

We are no racists but this country was established on the premise and in the spirit of give-and-take. The Federal Constitution was also drafted in the spirit of give-and-take. Thus, we practiced moderation and accommodation instead of assimilation which the country is moving towards now.

Now, we have had “Malaysia Baru” in 2018 and “Malaysia Madani” in 2022. Under these two DAP-dominated governments, we have “Malaysian Malaysia” that used to promise no race baiting or quotas. So, we are now all equal and I am happy to note that the Chinese are now happier.

We don’t have to worry or ask “apa Cina mau” any more. There’s no need for race-based parties such as MCA or MIC anymore. We only need Umno to continue to deliver the Malay votes that DAP craves for and is going all out to court Malay votes in the name of Unity!

The keyword used to be “Asalkan Bukan Umno!” But now, “The Green Wave or PAS” is the new bogeyman!

(Senator Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker, a former deputy minister from MCA, has served as Senator since August 2018.)