A coalition of 106 Malacca Chinese associations have hit back at MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek for claiming that their demands for the Merlimau by-elections were “old issues” and designed to embarrass MCA.

The coalition’s spokesperson Yang Ying Chong said that MCA should have the demands, which he claims represent the Chinese community, with an open mind.

"They may be old issues, but they are the basic problems faced by the development of mother tongue education in the past 50 years... we will repeatedly raise them until they are resolved."

The coalition’s submitted a document, titled Malacca Merlimau by-election demands, to Malacca Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam on Feb 26, hours after the nomination procedure.

Mohd Ali responded that he would only look into the matter if BN wins in Merlimau.

Chief among the coalition’s demands were for vernacular schools, independent Chinese schools and community Islamic schools to be treated equally as national schools, in terms of subsidies, aid and that their certificates are qualified for admission into public universities and civil service.

They also demanded that the government reinstates the citizenship of the late Lim Lian Geok, a prominent Chinese activist, and acknowledge him as a patriot.

Didn't MCA learn from mistakes?

Yesterday, Chua lashed out at the group, saying their purpose was just “to embarrass MCA”.

"The content of the demands is nothing new, and MCA is solving it (the demands) gradually," he said.

However Yong stressed that as a member of the ruling coalition, MCA should be held responsible for the outstanding list of unresolved problems.

"The voters had released strong message during the 12th general election. They (MCA) should not add insult to the injury, but to view the matter seriously," he said.

"Raising demands is the rights of citizens. There is no intention to embarrass any political party."

Yong, who is also president of Malacca Chinese Education Progressive Association, an umbrella body for Chinese education associations in the state, pointed out that even PAS which is seen as a conservative and extreme party, had supported the demands.

"Does MCA want to prove that their mindset has never change in the party for 50 years?"

He also revealed that the demands had managed to gain the endorsement of the first Indian NGO - Malaysian Indian Youth Council - which made them more representative.

Meanwhile Melaka DAP chairperson Goh Leong San expressed disappointment over Chua's remark in another statement.

He challenged Chua to submit the demands to prime minister and other relevant ministers, to let them understand the wishes of Melaka Chinese community.