Former MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker has accused the Democratic Action Party (DAP) of morphing into an “MCA 2.0,” characterized by hollow rhetoric, mounting failures, and arrogance. His remarks, posted on Facebook, were in response to DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook’s statement on August 24, 2025, dismissing any interest in collaborating with MCA, emphasizing that DAP’s cooperation lies within the unity government framework alongside Barisan Nasional (BN).
Ti claimed this was the fourth instance of Loke publicly disparaging MCA, citing previous remarks where Loke allegedly said he “disliked MCA,” “didn’t care about MCA,” and told the BN component party not to “get ahead of itself.” Despite MCA’s perceived irrelevance due to its size, Ti argued that it remains steadfast in its principles, unlike DAP, which he described as having transformed into a new version of MCA marked by greater failures and hubris.
DAP’s Unfulfilled Promises
Ti criticized DAP for its lack of progress on key issues, including local government elections, recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), and institutional reforms. “For decades, DAP mocked MCA as weak, submissive to Umno, and voiceless within the BN government,” he wrote. “DAP once championed ‘change’ and ‘fight on,’ but under Loke’s leadership, those slogans have given way to political acquiescence.”
He accused DAP of abandoning its ideals for power, delaying promised local democracy, and relegating the pursuit of justice for Teoh Beng Hock—a case once central to DAP’s advocacy—to a bitter footnote. Ti further alleged that DAP remains silent on major issues involving its coalition partners, contrasting this with the principled courage of former DAP leaders like Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh, who were respected for their integrity and unwavering commitment.
Comparisons to Past MCA Leadership
Ti drew a pointed comparison between Loke and former MCA president Ling Liong Sik, suggesting Loke mirrors Ling’s penchant for political compromise but lacks his consistency. “Ironically, Ling appears better in hindsight, as he was at least consistent, whereas Loke projects arrogance without delivering the political courage DAP promised,” Ti stated.
Call for Accountability
Ti urged Loke to exercise greater caution in his public statements, warning that the Chinese community is watching DAP closely, expecting it to outperform MCA. He emphasized that DAP’s current trajectory risks alienating supporters who once believed in its reformist ideals.
About The Author
