Fong: MCA wants equal standing with Umno, MIC Fong

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA wants to be equal partners with Umno and MIC rather than being " second" in the triumvirate.

Vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn said yesterday the party wanted parity with the two other founding members of the Alliance, which later evolved into Ba-risan Nasional.

He said the three parties had negotiated as equals for independence.

"There was so much parity (then), but over the years, MCA has become the distinct second to Umno and we have to correct this perception," he told the New Straits Times.

He said the party wanted its friends in Umno to know that working as equals would strengthen BN.

Fong said MCA should also have a new direction so that it can stabilise itself and BN.

"What we need is to rejuvenate and re-energise the grassroots. They have been demoralised by the poor showing of BN and MCA (in the March 8 election)."

For the next six months, he said, he would lift the morale of grassroots MCA members by giving the party a new direction.

He said the party would remain a Chinese-based entity but would articulate issues on behalf of all Malaysians.

Fong said: "It can be crime, security, economic development, job opportunities and education."

Citing the example of scholarships, he said scholarships should be given to all irrespective of race.

He said vernacular schools should be seen as part of the educational system so that MCA could speak on behalf of children of all races.