The Kuala Lumpur Chinese Assembly Hall (KLCAH) today said it is committed towards the betterment of the Chinese community and dismissed the claim that it is aligned to the government.

"We are not pro-government, we are representing the voices of civil societies. We support the right things and we oppose the wrong ones, said its president Liew Poon Siak when contacted.

Liew, who is also the president for the Federation of Chinese Guilds and Associations, has been seen as someone close to the establishment.

This perception is based on his organisation of a tea serving ceremony for ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad in September 2001 and the 'Thank-you, prime minister' mass gathering last October with the help of Mahathir's special aide Mathias Chang.

Certain quarters claimed that Chang is behind the formation of KLCAH, but Liew refused to comment on this beyond saying that they are friends.

Threat to SCAH

When the establishment of KLCAH was announced this week, it sparked off a controversy in the Chinese community as it is seen as a 'threat' to the 80-year-old Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (SCAH).

There are concerns that the new Hall would assume the role of SCAH as the latter constitutionally adopts both Federal Territory and Selangor Chinese-based associations as members.

SCAH is regarded as the most vocal of its compatriots and has even been labelled as 'extremist' by Mahathir for opposing the language switch policy last year.

It also supported the call for the abolishment of restrictive laws such as the Internal Security Act and is a member of the controversial Elections Appeal Committee (Suqui).

A majority of the 13 state assembly halls nationwide have pledged their support for SCAH and warned that the formation of a new Hall will split the Chinese community.

Alternative platform

Despite the objections, Liew said KLCAH has been formed and new members will be recruited as this is a right provided under the Federal Constitution.

He said the Hall aims to provide an 'alternative platform' for associations to air their views and does not intend to cause a fissure in the community.

"In the Federal Territory, we have about 2,000 registered Chinese-based associations. However, only about 300 or not more than 20 percent are registered with SCAH because they may not agree with what the latter is doing," he said.

He also denied the charge that KLCAH was formed because he was defeated in the contest for the SCAH president's post by a single vote in 1998.

On the issue of the new Hall being a threat to its veteran compatriot, Liew said this is untrue because associations have the choice to join either of them or both.

"The SCAH constitution does not have any provision that says a member must withdraw should it join another assembly hall. At the same time, we will not deter SCAH members from joining us as well," he added.

Work together

Liew said he is willing to meet with the SCAH leadership to iron out any problems and discuss ways to avoid overlapping.

"We have to work together for the betterment of the Chinese community," he said.

Asked why the preparatory works for the new hall was shrouded in secrecy, he said the committee anticipated objections if they disclosed details on the formation.

"We were well aware that SCAH and the Federation of Chinese Associations (FCAM) will oppose the proposal," he explained.

FCAM - the umbrella body for the assembly halls - is still mulling whether to accept KLCAH as a member, fearing that it could set an unhealthy precedent.

KLCAH is led by a 14-member committee Its registration was approved by the Registrar of Societies on Oct 30.