SEPT 5 — In the weeks since I declared my intention to contest the president’s post in MCA’s party polls, I have been thinking a lot about the qualities of a good leader.
Confucius said: “To govern means to rectify. If you lead on the people with correctness, who will dare not to be correct?”
In verse 12:17 of his classic text, the Analects, he made the point that leaders had to be upright, as the Chinese word for govern (“cheng”) is the same as for rectify or correct.
My interpretation of Confucius’ teaching is that leaders should behave with virtue, both professionally and personally, so that they set an example for those whom they are leading while correcting injustices.
This is a crucial characteristic of leadership for MCA, a party with tens of thousands of members. Throughout its history, it is those presidents who sought to lead with “correctness”, who have put their mark on the
party, creating a legacy of protecting the Chinese community.
The first MCA president, Tun Tan Cheng Lock, led it into existence in February 1949, a year after the British declared a state of emergency against the communist insurgency. The severe measures taken by the colonial government to wipe out the threat had been detrimental to the welfare of Chinese settlers in Malaya as many were either detained, deported to China or even shot dead.
At the same time, almost 500,000 Chinese villagers were forced to re-settle in “new villages” for segregation from Communist insurgents. This was when MCA came into the picture with the aim of helping to improve the lives of these people. MCA leaders recognised the loyalty of these Chinese villagers lay in Malaya, which they recognised as their permanent homeland.
Under Tan’s leadership, MCA carried out many welfare services, including building houses in the new villages, securing electricity and plumbing, providing food, medicine and financial assistance, as well as building Chinese primary schools and community libraries.
As Confucius also said: “He who wishes to secure the good of others has already secured his own.” It rings true in everything Tun Tan did for the community. In the foreword to Malayan Problems —- From a Chinese Point of View, he was credited for his values of moderation, sense of justice and fair play as well as a well-balanced outlook.
Other leaders flanking Tan displayed the same dedication and concern for those who needed their assistance. These community leaders played an instrumental role in Malaya’s
governance and independence.
In 1955, when the first Alliance self-government was formed, MCA represented the Chinese community in the first Cabinet with members, such as Tun H.S. Lee, Tun Leong Yew Koh and Tun Omar Ong Yoke Lin, holding key portfolios, including health and transport.
Today, young Malaysians will still recognise these names as being among the nation’s forefathers. In 1956, Lee and Tun TH Tan accompanied Tunku Abdul Rahman to the United Kingdom for talks with the British, which eventually culminated in Malaya’s independence.
On May 9, 1957, MCA was part of the delegation to England to negotiate the draft constitution, which was to be the foundation for the Federal Constitution that guides us today.
Among the most noted achievements by MCA during this time was to assist one million Chinese residents in obtaining citizenship.
These great men were written into our history books, not just because they were in the right place at the right time, but because they had a vision of Malaya’s future and worked together with the other races to make it a reality.
Under their leadership, MCA has championed many issues for the community, including education, use of the Chinese language, economic development and the rights of all citizens.
As I reflect on my aspirations to become the next party president, I am guided by the legacies left by these men. Perhaps, by standing on the shoulders of giants, I will be able to see further and do more.
** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malay Mail Online.
