马华的改革：真正的政治。真正的影响力

by Dato Sri Dr.Chua Soi Lek

第１２届全国大选的空前挫败，在党内许多人都发自内心的呼吁呐喊马华要重整，要重组，要重建，要再创造更要再生！马华需要改革，但创党先贤坚持的建党宗旨和目标不应改变。只是，它需要因国家政治现实及全球化时代而调整。

马华要能继续向前迈进，则需自我反省及自我改变，并奠定在３个基础进行革兴：

1. 真正的政治。真正的影响力。


2. 真正的平等。真正的权利。


3. 真正的社会经济成长。

1 ）真正的政治。真正的影响力

马华未来要能走得更远一定要成为真正的政党，做一个能契合新政治生态及反映政治现实的政党。要从何开始？

1.1 视野要大，思维要广

• 马华是一个单一种族的政党，但却要有多元种族思维的运作，为全民及国家争取权益及斗争。简单来说，马华的问政要立足在课题，而不是种族。


• 马华将继续作为华基政党，只是它的斗争不只为华社议题，也要概括全民国家议题：贪污腐败，司法公正，社会治安，环境保护，两性平权，公民人权及贫穷弱势。


• 因此，马华会继续为协助族群在经济发展、提升竞争力、华文教育及文化传承方面贡献力量，而且是以更大的视野来关心这些议题，换言之不只是为单一族群斗争。

1.2 改变一党独大，成为真正伙伴

• 马华要重新省思自己在国阵里与其他成员党的关系，尤其是和巫统，一定要去除主从关系。每一个成员党都是平起平坐，那么马华才能反映华裔选民心声，并在新的政治生态中拥有一席之地。


• 我们需确保国阵是一个多元种族的联盟，而非单一种族、单一信条、单一宗教的政盟。唯有如此，全民的声音及意愿才能直达天听，马华在国阵里才有存在的价值。


• 国阵不再有”老大哥”，巫统只是盟体里的其中一个领导，而非独权（我们需要能稳定局面的领导，正如民联以安华为领导主干）。


• 国阵里每个成员党都是平起平坐，具有同等的权利和地位，因为我们都是马来西亚人，但我们要时时谨记，我国的多元种族社会是以马来人居大多数。


• 因此，马华要与国阵其他成员党讨论未来政治联盟的发展方向及相处之道，对我们所关注的议题，马华不只要大声说，还要公开说，有尊严的说，不再担心说了会引起对立或遭到恐吓。


• 马华坚持，国阵各个成员党不能为了满足本身特权因而剥夺甚至影响了整体发展及规划。我们要把马华落实为真正的政治组织，以便能适应国家新的政治生态。我们要有明确及清楚的政治价值观，我们的政治信念中要具备关爱全民，公平正义，讲求诚信，纪律与勇气，当然我们也要包容不同的声音。


• 马华要更有自信，确保政府的施政政策及计划更具透明度，公平和民主。因此，我们无需再通过乞求及请愿来要求政府解决教育课题，宗教议题及经济机会。

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MCA’s Reform: REAL POLITICS. REAL INFLUENCE

by: Dato Sri Dr. Chua Soi Lek

After its unprecedented poor showing in the 12th General Election, many calls are going out from all quarters and corners within the MCA calling for the need to re-engineer, re-organise, rebuild, re-invent and re-vitalise the party.

Reformation is crucial. MCA shall remain the same as the founding father of MCA has clearly lain out. However, it needs to be fine-tuned and taken into consideration to the political reality of Malaysia in a globalised world.

MCA has to do some soul searching and to make changes in order for the party to going forward based on 3 platforms:-

1. Real Politics. Real Influence.


2. Real Equality. Real Rights.


3. Real Socio-economic Growth.

1) REAL POLITICS. REAL INFLUENCE

The way forward for MCA is to be a real political party, which can fit into the new political landscape, and to reflect the political reality. How?

1.1 Change to think National

• MCA as a mono ethnic party shall exercise multi-racial approach in championing the rights and cause of the rakyat and the nation.


• MCA shall be issue centric rather than just ethno centric.


• MCA will continue to be a Chinese-based political party but it will champion not only Chinese interest but also national issue: corruption, judiciary, security, green environment, gender sensitivity, civil liberties and poverty.


• MCA will continue to dedicate itself to help the Chinese community in economic development and competitiveness, Chinese education, culture not withstanding that, it should always be issue centric rather than all just Chinese.

1.2 Change to real partnership without dominance

• MCA needs to re-look its relationship with its component party, especially UMNO. The perception of a master-servant relationship should be removed. Every component partner should have equal right, then only MCA can deliver the Chinese vote and stay competitive in the new political landscape.


• MCA seeks to have a meaningful and effective partnership. Therefore we shall ensure BN as a multi-racial, multi-ethnic coalition, does not serve only one race, one creed, one religion. Hence, the voice of rakyat will always be heard in the corridors of power and that we will always be valued partners in the coalition.


• There is no ‘big brother’ within the Barisan Nasional, only leadership by UMNO but not dominance (as we need leadership for stability, even the PR have leadership because of Anwar Ibrahim).


• Every component party should be treated equal and fairly with the same rights of status as the rakyat of Malaysia, bearing in mind the Malay forms majority in this multi-racial society.


• It is therefore pertinent for MCA to sit down with the component parties in BN, to lay down new and clear ground rules for the future direction of the coalition. MCA needs to speak out more and vocalize their concerns publicly and respectfully, without being threatening or antagonistic.


• Each of the main component parties of BN have jealously and zealously fought and guarded the continuity and propagation of principal political agendas. However, championing of the communities rights and privileges should be less communal by way of adopting a constant, consistent and systematic approach in development planning, distribution of these rights and privileges.


• We want to make MCA a political party that will reflect the changed political landscape in Malaysia. We must have clear and unequivocal values such as love and care for the rakyat, fairness, justice, integrity, discipline, courage in our convictions and tolerance for different opinions.


• MCA should be more assertive to ensure government improves the implementation of government policies (projects) should be more transparent, fair and democratic. Hence, educational issues, religious issues and economic opportunities should be resolved without having to beg and petition the government.

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Racial in a Multiracial Pakatan Rakyat?

Quote: drchua9.blogspot.com

As some of you may know, I appeared live on RTM2's What Say You programme on Sunday to discuss the consequences of Umno-PAS talks on multiracialism in Malaysia. While it was a lively discussion, what is clear from the response to the programme is that the Chinese in Malaysia no longer see things from a narrow racial perspective. The MCA must evolve along with the Chinese community in articulating such views.

As I said on the programme, the MCA may be a Chinese party but our outlook must be multi-racial. We must be issue-centered. The issues the Chinese are concerned about today cuts across racial barriers. These issues include the economy, corruption, Hindraf and equal access to educational opportunities. That is why the concept of Malay unity has sparked some concerns among the Chinese community. The Chinese have responded strongly in favour of the purportedly more multi-racial approach of the Pakatan Rakyat alliance.

While I do not believe the Pakatan Rakyat is better placed to unite all Malaysians, it is nevertheless necessary for us in the MCA to respond or else we will be painted into a corner as a coalition which represents narrow racial interests. The concept of Malay unity in the form of any Umno-PAS alliance is a turn-off to most Chinese voters because it suggests other races are precluded. The presence of PAS in Pakatan Rakyat is less of a concern because PKR is multiracial and the strongest party. It is our responsibility to ask UMNO if they realize they risk alienating non-Malays permanently.
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The Barisan Nasional (BN) concept is still the only way for Malaysia to progress together as partners. But right now, the copycat version in Pakatan Rakyat appears much more appealing to many Malaysians because the different members –DAP, PKR, PAS – seem to have an equal say in the direction of the alliance, and are united under Anwar Ibrahim. Many voters stopped supporting the original – BN – because Umno appeared too powerful, and the other partners appeared to have less say in the direction of the country. We in the BN will have to work hard to change this perception. And this must be done together as partners.

The fragile co-operation between Pakatan Rakyat is possible because of Anwar Ibrahim. I cannot imagine how it will work in the longer term.

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Live on NTV 7 News

本文引用自: 拿督斯里蔡细历医生网站 drchua9.blogspot.com

Last night I was invited to NTV 7 live for English, Mandarin and Malay news. For the Chinese version, I once again emphasized that I’ve not decided to contest any post. I need to gauge the support from members and second, whether I can contribute to reform and rebuilding of MCA. As to the actual day when I can make announcement, I have no idea.

Of course one of the questions thrown is whether the dvd will affect support for me. I said that there are 2 schools of thought. One that I should be evaluated on performance, the other is that my private life should also be taken into consideration. [read more...]

When this dvd issue first appeared, I consulted my President 3 times, Prime Minister 2 times and Deputy Prime Minister 1 time and I told them very clearly that I admit, apologize and pick up from there. I then resigned from all my party and government posts. If there is any comfort after I resign is that my family and my wife stood solidly with me. I am also encouraged that after my resignation, I continue to receive invitation to attend functions both within the party and NGOs.

In this context, I must thank DAP leaders, Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng who openly said that during the election period they will not use the dvd issue against me because this is a private matter. Some even said my son’s victory is a vindication since I was campaigning on his behalf.
After my resignation, I have 2 options, whether I should:

1) Wallow in self pity and bitterness; or
2) Continue to use my experience and optimize my strength to do what I have been doing for the last 23 years; serve the party and the community.


I want to move forward. I hope my party members will give me a chance. I believe that my political destiny should be decided by MCA members. I will not let my “friends” within the party continue to pull me down with the dvd. There are strong forces at work to ensure I am marginalized in the party. Well, this is all part of politics. Meanwhile, I will not use personal attack against my colleague and I will let my political destiny to be decided by MCA members.


昨晚， 我受邀上NTV7华语、马来语以及英语新闻。能连续上3个新闻时段，真的让我有点受宠若惊。当然，访谈离不开马华党选。在华语新闻时段里，我再次强调目前我还未决定要在党选竞选什么高职。理由是，我需要：
1．探测基层的意向
2．衡量自己的能力，是否能协助马华的重建工作

至于什么时候会表态，我真的还未有任何头绪。

三个主播也分别问我，是否担心偷拍光碟的事会影响我参选。我说，基层们有两种评价：一方认为应从工作表现评估我；一方坚持评估准则必须包括我的私人生活。事情发生时，我会见和咨询了我党总会长三次，首相两次及副首相一次，由始至终我都坚持要公开承认及承担一切后果。我也随即辞去所有官职和党职。让我觉得安慰的是，妻子和家人一直陪伴我走过低潮，支持我鼓励我。辞职后，我仍然受邀出席党内和非政府组织活动，大家的不离不弃是我最大的鼓舞。当然，我也要感谢行动党两位领袖林吉祥和林冠英，公开表明这是私事，拒绝利用光碟事件来功击对手争取选票。

辞官后，我该如何生活？我应该沉溺于失意、沮丧和自我怜悯？还是运用我过去23年来累积的经验，结合我的长处继续为我党及华社服务？

我选择后者。我希望党员们能可以给我一个机会。既然我是马华一份子，那我的政治命运应该由马华党员来决定。我选择了面对，不逃避问题、不掩盖错误；我要向前看、向前走，即使党内已经出现一股围堵我的力量，确保我被边缘化。这就是政治。不过，我不会让党内的“有心人”，利用光碟事件对我再度展开政治谋杀，我的政治命运只由党员决定。

他们对我人身攻击，但我不会如此对待我的党同志。

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NTV7电视新闻三语专访拿督斯里蔡细历医生

本区会主席拿督斯里蔡细历医生今日接受NTV7的三语电视新闻专访，在访谈中，拿督斯里蔡细历医生针对个人党选动向、与“传闻搭档”林祥才的关系、对翁诗杰的评价，及年初的光碟事件侃侃而谈。新闻制作单位也特別在今天的电话短讯民意调查中，打出“蔡细历应否竞选总会长？”的问题，让观众投选心中的答案。

针对记者提问关于光碟事件是否将影响他竞选中央党职的问题时，拿督斯里蔡细历医生表示虽然这起事件应已结束，但相信还有人会藉此在党选中攻击他。而党同志将从两方面来考量及看待这件事，一是他在任期间的服务表现及他的个人生活，有人已经侵犯了他的隐私权； 另一方面，也有人从整体上来评价他，即是他的工作表现加上个人隐私；事实上他已就这起事件负起全部的责任，这包括辞去所有的党职及卫生部长的职务，而今天，他是以一名马华党员的身份，由零开始重头做起，即从一名普通党员到出任区会主席，成为中央代表，而他的去向，将由马华同志通过党选的民主程式来决定。
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当主播表示许多政治评论家分柝，基于他如此强势的支持度而言，攻打总会长这个职位将是最适合的，并询问他本身有意攻打哪一个职位时，拿督斯里蔡细历医生表示：“我必须先谢谢他们对我的信心，我可能竞选任何职位，又或者不打任何职位，惟当下我最重要的是必须先聆听来自基层及其他多方面的意愿及意见。”，在主播再次向他征询是否已为公布其动向作好准备时，拿督斯里表示当他作好准备时就会公布其动向，

当主播向他提及有许多的马华党员不满总会长拿督斯里黄家定的领导，而他正代表了这群不满的党同志，要出来改变马华时，拿督斯里蔡细历医生表示他不敢说自己代表着他们，但确实有许多的党同志不满目前的由黄家定主导的领导层，而竞选将是最佳的处理模式，以评定他们可以得到多少党同志的支持。

在提到他是否就此次党选与马华副总会长拿督林祥才联系的问题时，拿督斯里蔡细历医生不违言他曾与拿督林祥才会面，但两人仅是彼此交流党选的意见，而拿督林祥才亦未向他表明攻打哪一个职位。在另一方面，当新闻主播要求他评论翁诗杰，他则加以婉拒。他表示，拿督翁诗杰是他的党同志，他也非常尊重这位党同志，而且公开评价一名党同志不是一件好事，这是非常不公平的。



虽然面对光碟事件的影响，拿督斯里蔡细历医生在华语新闻专访后的民意调查中，依然获得半数的观众支持他攻打马华总会长职，事实上，由于南马及东马大部份居民并没有收看NTV7华语新闻的习惯，这项民调也许尚无法完整表现实在数据。

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Dato Sri Dr.Chua: Post 308 Election: MCA Division Election and Its Reform

Quote from drchua9.blogspot.com
Tuesday, July 29, 2008

The Batu Pahat Youth, Wanita and MCA AGM went on smoothly over the weekend. Since this is election year, the turnout of the delegate was about 95% for Youth, Wanita and MCA. There was virtually no contest for the Youth and Wanita. For the MCA, there was contest for the deputy, vice chairman and central delegate. I have the opportunity of officiating the Youth, Wanita and MCA AGM. I took the opportunity to thank the Youth, Wanita and MCA members who have supported me unanimously thus, enabling me to be a central delegate and back to my old position as division chairman of Batu Pahat MCA of which I’ve been leading for the last 23 years.
...
I also took the opportunity to impress upon the members that post 308 election, it is not business as usual. The likely emergence of 2 party system creates a healthy environment of competition and offers rakyat a choice. Political parties have to be competitive in order to survive. Expectation of the rakyat and the Chinese community are high. While we have a good service centre functioning, people expect MCA to deliver more than just looking after longkang, garbage and hawker license. MCA cannot continue to sing old tune of voting for MCA and BN to ensure social and political stability.

Post 308 when PR won convincingly, there are also stabilities. Second, we cannot talk about through MCA, the Chinese has the opportunity for power sharing because through PR, the Chinese also has power sharing at state level. Thirdly, we cannot sing old tune by providing basic services to local community and expect to be voted in. Of course, to be relevant, MCA cannot be everything Chinese. We are a mono-ethnic Chinese based political party and the political reality is that while we have a role to play in the Chinese community, we have to be multiracial in our outlook. On issues confronting Chinese community, MCA should be on the front line to articulate the expectation of the Chinese community, but all other issues from security to corruption, abuse of power, inflation, Hindraf; MCA has to make its position clear. We cannot say that everything is sensitive and that we are within the BN and that we will resolve this behind close doors. People want MCA to put its stand clearly so that the Chinese community and the rest of the other community are aware of what MCA stand for. We have to convince the Chinese community and the rakyat that we are a party that can be counted on when we faced major issues. A good example is the PAS and UMNO issue where MCA ministers must make its stand clear within the cabinet and outside the cabinet that while we have no objection to UMNO and PAS holding dialogue, but they must not forget and neglect the other community that makes up nearly 45% of the population in this country. The end result of their discussion should not encroach on the rights, freedom and the peace enjoyed by the other community. In the same way, MCA should be more vocal in resolving its issue and should not be behind closed door because this is often been construed that MCA has no gut to articulate Chinese fear and frustration and expectation and what is worst is that some Chinese may think that we are out of touch with the Chinese community. Not only we must be more vocal, we must also have the moral courage to accept possibility for our shortcomings, our weaknesses so that we are a party that not only claim to solve problems confronting the Chinese community, but we try to do our best. Of course there is a need to review our relationship within BN that every party is to be treated equal and everybody has equal rights and that BN has to be more multiracial in its outlook, more transparent, democratic and more fair in resolving issues confronting multiracial country like Malaysia.

In order to reform MCA to gain the confidence of Chinese community cannot be dependent on one person. It has to be teamwork. It has to be joint effort of every committed member. It cannot be dependent on empty slogans and false promise. We not only talk but we have to deliver what we promise. It is not going to be an easy job since there is a lot of skepticism towards MCA and also towards the government. We have lost the credibility of the Chinese community and rakyat Malaysia. It is up to us to rebuild the party so that we can restore confidence, our integrity and credibility. Hence, MCA will continue to dedicate itself to help the Chinese community in economic development, competitiveness, Chinese education, culture but not withstanding that it should always be issue-centric rather than all just Chinese. MCA should also be more assertive to ensure government improvement on implementation of government policies so that it could be more fair, transparent and democratic. Hence, educational issue, religious issue and economic opportunity should be resolved without having to bag and petition the government. We also need to monitor the performance of Pakatan Rakyat controlled state government to ensure that they deliver their promises. In these days, we function as opposition members in PR controlled states. Of course I know that this is not going to be easy because we have been in power for the last 50 years and we may not be able to function effectively as an opposition but more as the power in government. There is also the need to maintain the social networking and the goodwill of NGO and Chinese based associations.

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拿督斯里蔡细历医生：马华的整顿与再建构

Re-engineering and Reinvention of MCA

After nomination, I’m now the division chairman for Batu Pahat again. I will not be making announcement as to what post I’m contesting at the National MCA election. I need to get the feedback from MCA central delegates and to gauge their support from the delegates. These feedbacks are important in order for me to make an informed decision. Whatever position I contest, it is important whether I can play an important role in helping to re-engineer and reinvent MCA to meet the post 308 political scenarios. If I contest, I believe that the re-engineering and reinvention of MCA cannot be dependant on one person. There’s a need for teamwork and collective responsibility in order to reinvent MCA. If I cannot contribute to this role, I will not contest.
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Meanwhile, I’ll continue to gather feedback on the expectation of MCA members and Chinese community towards MCA to ensure that MCA remains relevant in the new political landscape post 308 election. Often, I heard of people that MCA should leave BN. This is a major decision that needs a lot of deliberation. If MCA leaves BN;

1. No political party can claim to represent the Chinese at the federal level. I understand many will dismiss the role of MCA as mere playing the second fiddle to UMNO. But right now can any party claim to represent the Chinese in the government?

2. If MCA leaves BN, can MCA stand alone? Even DAP who solely dependant on Chinese votes have to join Pakatan Rakyat to ensure its long term survival.

Meanwhile, UMNO and PAS have openly admitted that they have some serious discussion at the highest possible level to talk about Islam and Malay unity. This once again demonstrates that politics in this country will always be influenced by race and religion. I understand that post 308, a lot of people were thinking and in fact some were euphoric that we’ll see some multiracial politics. I’ll always have my doubts and that race and religion will continue to play a prominent role in our political system. Ideally, we all accept that political party should be issue centric rather than ethnic centric. To me, it’s still a long time to go before we achieve this.

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提名结束。由于不受挑战，我正式成为巴株巴辖区会主席。再次感谢区会同志们的支持。

不过，我不会宣布接着会攻打什么高职。我会继续聆听和收集代表们的意见和意愿，我也需要获取代表们的支持。我重视代表们的意愿。我的决定，取决于代表们的意见。不管竞选什么高职，我所关心的是，我会否被给予参与重建筑和整顿马华的机会，以协助党走出后308的政治困境，迎接未来的艰巨挑战。对党，我一直秉持一个信念：我坚信党若要成功转型，是绝对不能单靠个人的力量。党需要一个有效的团队，发挥高度集体合作、集体负责的精神来执行这项任务。如果我无法做到这一点，我不会竞选任何高职。
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是否竞选、竞选何职，我暂且不谈。我会继续听取华社和马华党员对马华公会的意见和期望，这对我党在后政治海啸时代，要存在意义非常重要。很多人认为马华应该退出国阵，这是重大决定，需要深思熟虑。试想想，如果马华退出国阵：

1． 华社将失去中央政府的代表权。我知道很多人都觉得马华地位次于巫统，所以很不屑马华的角色。但目前除了马华，中央政府里还有其他华社的代表吗？
2． 如果退出，马华可以单独生存吗？依仗华人选票的行动党也必须和公正党结盟，才能确保长期存活

与此同时，巫统和回教党也公开承认两党高层领袖正进行有关回教和马来团结议程的重要会谈。这再一次论证我国的政治无时无刻都受到种族和宗教的议程所影响。理想来说，我们认为所有政党的斗争应摒弃种族主义，凡事以课题为本。要达到这一点，我国的政治还有很长的路呢。

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拿督斯里蔡细历医生文告：恭喜翁诗杰决定

（吉隆坡19日讯）马华前副总会长拿督斯里蔡细历医生恭喜副总会长拿督翁诗杰在今年党选攻打总会长职的决定，至于他本人是否竞选高职，目前还未有任何决定。

他指出，他会进一步观察马华和国家政局走向的演变后才作出决定，并会在适当的时候向大家宣布。

他今日接获各媒体记者来电询问个人动向后，通过文告回应这项提问。

蔡细历说，308大选后，马华士气萎靡，党员和人民对马华的期望也已改变。马华在华社和国家发展的洪流里是否仍具有存在意义将是党的最大考验。
...
他认为，马华需要一支有效的团队去领导，而这个团队应融合老、中、青基层领袖，这样才能包涵和代表各阶层党员的声音，也能洗却马华由个人主政的负面印象。

针对他的竞选意愿，蔡细历强调，目前国家正直多事之秋，经济措施还没得当，他不想频频高调谈论马华党选，以免让人民误解马华只顾党选，不问民计。

“我相信普罗大众对我国时下的政事演变及政治人物感到厌倦。政治领袖如何有效地领导国家走出这个经济低潮，才是大家关心的议题。”

因此，在未有任何决定以前，他不想多说。

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拿督斯里蔡细历医生："我喜欢称网络媒体为新媒体。过去，网络一词对许多不谙电脑和网络科技者言，没有太大的说服力，更庸说普及。今天，影响人民思想和视野的网络媒体形式包罗万象，层出不穷，最普遍的计有电子报、部落格、网站、网络电视、电台等，这些电科时代的产物，随趋势所至竟形成一股强而有力的新媒体势力。要与时并进，与时代接轨，就得接受新元素这些的兴起和存在。我感谢voicemedia.com，一个新的网络电台的盛意邀请，给我机会分享对时下时事课题的己见。我也邀请您，闲时到www.voicemedia.com.my收听这个电台。"

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历届马华总会长：第一任─ 陈祯禄．为华社鞠躬尽瘁．没陈祯禄没公民权

转载自：光明日报资料

“我父亲为马来西亚及当地的华人社会可说是鞠躬尽瘁了。”这是马华创办人兼第一任总会长敦陈祯禄的女儿陈金玉对父亲的评价。

从现在回顾历史，客观看待陈祯禄其人其事，我们发现陈金玉确实作出了实事求是的中肯评价。如果没有陈祯禄，当年留在马来亚的华人，就可能无法获得公民权；如果没有陈祯禄，我国的独立过程就可能改写。

撇开党派之争以及政治意识形态，我们不得不承认陈祯禄的确为华裔、社会与国家作出了巨大贡献。在马华，他是创办人兼首任总会长，受党员景仰；在华社，他是一名出色兼伟大的政治领袖，受华裔尊敬。

1883年4月5日，陈祯禄在马六甲出世，开始了他不平凡的人生。陈祯禄自幼好学，聪明颖悟，在马六甲念完中学之后，就到新加坡深造，并考获高级剑桥文凭。之后，陈祯禄曾想过到英国读法律，然而由于父亲当时还无法承继祖父的遗产，加上两名哥哥逝世，父亲悲伤难过，沉醉于杯中物，他不得不承担养家的责任。

塞翁失马，焉知非福，放弃赴英理想的陈祯禄转入了人生另一跑道，在莱佛士学院当校长。6年后，他离开新加坡，到马六甲从商，大展拳脚。商业上的成功让他成为华社领袖。接着，他在1916年受委为马六甲乡村局委员、1923年成为海峡殖民地立法委员、1933年，担任海峡殖民地执法委员。

陈祯禄在担任海峡殖民地立法及执法委员期间，不但没有唯唯诺诺，反而为了人民的利益，挺身而出，向英殖民政府呛声。

1926年，陈祯禄在立法委员任内提出前瞻性的政治理想──要使马来亚获得自治权。“我们的最终目标是一个团结的英属马来亚自治邦，有联邦政府、有国会、有行政中心，如吉隆坡，让本地人自治，因此应该刻意培养马来亚精神和意识，以完全消除种族和社群的感觉。”可以想像陈祯禄当时慷慨陈词的豪气。

虽然今天听来这不是什么了不起的理想，然后在那个时候而言，却是一项高瞻远瞩的观念。无疑，陈祯禄当时是走在时代的前端。凭着前瞻的眼光以及为国为民的理想，陈祯禄过后创办了马华公会，为华人政治掀开新一章。

50万华人险遭驱逐
创办公会救同胞

1949年，陈祯禄创办马华公会，目的是为了保护华人的权益及协助受难的华人。

当时，马共对抗英殖民政府，马新两地实施紧急法令。由于参加和支持马共的大多数都是华人，因此在对付马共的理由下，华人首当其冲。英殖民政府实施许多苛刻的条例与规定，使到百多万华人陷于水深火热之中。

英殖民政府甚至扬言要驱逐50万华人回中国。眼见局势发展日益恶劣，华人利益受严重损害，陈祯禄发出这样的呼吁：“华人必须团结起来，自救于苦难中。”

1949年2月27日，马华公会应运而生。当时，英殖民政府让陈祯禄成立马华公会，目的是要让他去照顾600多个新村内的60万华人，并没料到马华会发展成为一个政党。

陈祯禄出任马华第一任总会长。他在成立大会上说：“马来亚华人公会成立，主要是因为马来亚的忠诚华人在紧急状况下受到苦难。紧急状况不但危及许多华人性命，威胁华人切身利益，而且还使人怀疑我们对本邦的传统忠诚感，我们之中已有许多人以马来亚为永久家乡。”

成立后的马华积极协助陷入困境的华人，同时也成功说服英殖民政府取消驱逐50万华人一事。另一方面，陈祯禄也带领马华与巫统合作，结成联盟，积极向英国争取独立。

1954年，联盟代表团赴英谈判，要求独立，却失败。较后，联盟通过各级华巫议员辞职抗议，发动示威。在争取独立一事上，陈祯禄展现了无畏的决心！“我们坚持这项行动，必要时，我们准备坐牢。”当时，他已年届71岁。

皇天不负有心人，经过多番努力，终于在1956年，以东姑阿都拉曼为首的代表团在伦敦谈判成功，签署独立协议书。翌年8月31日，马来亚独立了。这个成果里头，有着陈祯禄的血汗。

被国父誉为“独立之父”
在争取独立的过程中，陈祯禄的确功不可抹。就连当时的国家领导人也承认这一点。

1960年12月13日，陈祯禄心脏病猝发逝世，享年77岁，举行国葬。约一周后，时任首相的东姑阿都拉曼在国会发表感人肺腑的追悼演词。

“倘若没有敦陈在当时给予我巨大的支持，我必须承认，我领导争取独立的使命，将无法成功，或许须付出流血与麻烦的代价。”

东姑甚至称陈祯禄为“一位独立之父”。

“我们永远记得，这位献出一生为马来亚人民服务的人；他的确是我国一位伟大的领袖，一位独立之父。”

时任副首相的敦阿都拉萨也给予陈祯禄极高的评价。“倘若要追溯，谁是马来西亚第一位鼓吹与发扬种族和谐合作，以及建立一个马来人的马来亚国家的话，这个人就是敦陈祯禄。”

从不以中国人自居

在陈祯禄成长的年代，许多在马来亚的华人都仍以中国人自居，而陈祯禄却不是这样的，他由始至终认定自己是马来亚华人。

对于中国的政治运动，他毫无兴趣，他关注的是马来亚的政治。然而，当时的许多华人却是非常关注中国政治，因为他们仅把马来亚当作一个驿站，他们终是要回归祖国的。

这使到陈祯禄为华裔争取公民权的努力在初时只获得冷淡回应，不过，他还是不遗余力去争取，最后成功促使超过百万的华人取得公民权。

百万华人获公民权

1946年，英国当局邀马来统治者及巫统的代表磋商新宪制问题。翌年，宪制建议修正书出炉，非马来人申请成为公民的条件非常苛刻。对此，陈祯禄强烈反对，据理力争，较后他提出的“土生土长”原则获得接纳，为华裔取得公民权铺路。

1955年，中国总理周恩来表明反对海外华人拥有双重国籍，这使到当时在马来亚的许多华人选择放弃中国国籍。过后，联盟政府放宽公民权条例，同意在独立后的一年内给予华印裔申请公民权的机会。马华在全国各地发动申请公民权运动，结果在短短一年内，超过100万华人申请并获准成为公民。

小故事
疤痕提醒控制情绪

陈祯禄手腕上有一道疤痕。

一道疤痕，对普通人来说可能是一个痊愈的伤口，无甚意义，然而，陈祯禄却视手腕上的疤痕为一个教训，提醒他要控制情绪。

陈祯禄年纪轻轻就当上校长，正值年少气盛，缺乏耐性及容忍。当学生一再无法理解他所讲解的，他就会生气。

有一次，一名无礼的学生触怒了他，他捉起面前的一个玻璃杯摔向那位学生，结果杯子破裂，反弹回来的玻璃碎击中他的左手，留下疤痕。多年后，陈祯禄的女儿陈金玉回忆道：“父亲说，这个疤痕的存在提醒着他──控制个人情绪是一件非常重要的事，不管是在任何情况下。”

陈祯禄语录

．马来亚的前途，系于各种族、各阶层人民为共同利益、共同进步的相互合作上面，马华公会提倡以合作而非对抗为基础的进步思想、政策与方针。

．马来亚的华人，尤其是家里说华语的华人必须接受母语教育，这样才能发展自己的文化与传统。失掉本身文化熏陶的华人，绝不会变得更文明。一个人的母语正象一个人的影子，不能和他本身分离。

．华人如果不爱护华人的文化，英人不会承认他是英人；马来人也不会承认他是马来人。结果他将成为无祖籍的人。世界上只有猪牛鸡鸭这些畜生禽兽，是无祖籍的。所以，华人不爱护自己的文化，便是畜生禽兽。

．马来亚的难题，是如何使三大民族统合起来，使他们能生活在一个单一的政治团体中，却同时保持不同文化传统、独立的精神与独性。


敦陈祯禄记事簿
1883年 生于马六甲峇峇家庭
1916年 受委马六甲乡村局委员
1923年 受委海峡殖民地立法委员
1933年 受委海峡殖民地执法委员
1943年 在印度孟买宣布成立海外华人协会
1949年 成立马华公会，当选首任总会长
1952年 获英女皇封赐"爵士"勋衔
1955年 摔跤受伤， 留医4个月，从此不良于行，健康日益恶劣，后来更患上痴呆症
1957年 争取独立有功，受封"敦"勋衔
1958年 在马华党选中被林苍佑击败，受委为名誉总会长
1960年 心脏病猝发逝世，享年77岁，举行国葬

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