ELECTION 2008: Be cautious, PM tells Chinese, Indian voters

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (centre) looking at a replica of the RM110 million project to upgrade the Penang Hospital's heart and surgical centre in George Town yesterday. At left is Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

GEORGE TOWN: If people vote out the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) and Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) tomorrow, then their communities will no longer have a voice or representation in government, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi cautioned yesterday.

The Chinese and Indian voters have to decide whether they want a louder voice in parliament, by voting in the DAP, or a bigger role in government by voting in the MCA and MIC, he said.

"It is your choice," he said to voters, "but I hope the people think carefully".

"I hope the time does not come when we don't have the MCA or MIC (in government) any more."

Abdullah was asked to comment on a possible scenario should there be a repeat of the 1990 general election when Chinese votes swung heavily to the DAP, reducing the number of MCA representatives in government.
Abdullah said it would not be in the country's interest if the new cabinet was short of representation from other BN component parties owing to their poor electoral performance.

"I do not want to form a government that is made up of only one race. I want representation from the Malays, Chinese and Indians and other ethnic groups.

"I hope the status quo is maintained in the interests of all."

Asked about comments by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that the country needed an opposition that could hold up a mirror to the government, Abdullah said: "We have always had an opposition in this country. That is not an issue."

He voiced confidence that the BN would win the election, including in states like Kelantan and Penang.

On former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's smear attacks on the government, Abdullah said it was typical of Anwar to resort to such behaviour.

He said Anwar, when in government, used to condemn the opposition for the same things he was doing now.

"Now, he is going overseas and telling the foreign media all sorts of lies to make the country look bad."

Asked if the government would increase the price of fuel this year, Abdullah said the situation would be monitored and the government would continue to ensure that the prices of goods did not burden the people.

Abdullah was speaking after officiating at a RM110 million project to upgrade the Penang Hospital's heart and surgical centre.

The project which comes under the Ninth Malaysia Plan is expected to be completed in a year.

Among others, the centre is meant to serve as a northern equivalent to the Kuala Lumpur-based Institut Jantung Negara.