KUALA LUMPUR: The rise of “extreme forces” in the country is alarming and all political parties in the country should rise and unite against extremism and racism, says Datuk Chong Sin Woon.

       There were people who were becoming less accommodating and tolerant, or worse, having less respect for others, said the MCA secretary-general.

       “There is someone out there trying to encroach into other people’s lifestyles, banning what we can eat or drink or what we are allowed to do. There’s an elephant in the room and everyone pretends not to see it. This is worrying.

       “It’s time for MCA – in fact, any political party in this country – to unite to say ‘no’ to racism and extremism,” he said when opening the 46th Wanita MCA annual general meeting at Wisma MCA here yesterday.

       Chong was referring to recent bans on alcohol and 4D lottery shops in Kedah and sales of hard liquor at sundry shops, convenience stores and Chinese medicine halls in Kuala Lumpur, as well as former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s remarks that the continued use of chopsticks by the Chinese community was an obstacle to assimilation, and statements from other leaders in the past.

       Chong said Malaysia had decent economic development prospects when Barisan Nasional was still in power.

       “However, following a fateful general election and now a pandemic, we no longer have such advantages.“We can see how Indonesia is seeing greater development while Vietnam is ahead of us. Even Laos and Myanmar are talking about building a high-speed railway.

       “If we still go on bickering about banning gambling and alcohol or whose work attire is too short and so on, when are we going to be a developed nation?” he added.

       Calling on all MCA members to defend secularism, freedom and fairness in democracy, he said it was vital not to let extremism fester.“We cannot let extreme politics encroach into non-Muslims’ rights. This is what was bestowed upon us by the Federal Constitution and we must defend it,” Chong added.

       He also lauded Wanita MCA’s efforts in fighting for justice for women, adding that the tabling of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill for the first reading in Parliament on Dec 15 was a breakthrough.

       “The rights of women in the country also represent the rights of everyone in the country. This is a strong signal that enough is enough.

       “Politicians have been using race, religion, even education and language, as their capital. This is dangerous,” he said, adding that their uniqueness in the Malaysian Family must be honoured and respected.

       Calling on Barisan to return to its initial model which championed moderation, Chong said the extreme views uttered by some leaders in the past had cost Barisan the people’s support, leading to its losses in the 14th General Election in 2018.

       “We should not repeat this mistake,” Chong said.

       He added that Barisan’s recent victory in the Melaka state election should not be an indication of what would happen in the 15th General Election, and called on all component parties to work harder to win the people’s support.