PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has urged MCA not to turn itself into Umno's slave, but instead should dare to speak up for the Chinese community.

His call came  at a Chinese New Year open house held in Kajang last night, shooting back at MCA president Liow Tiong Lai for claiming Anwar had caused the 'Ops Lalang' in 1987.

He condemned MCA and its president Liow Tiong Lai for lacking the courage to criticise both prime minister Najib Abdul Razak and his predecessor Dr Mahathir Mohamad, for their involvement in that operation.

"Who was the prime minister and home minister then? Mahathir. Who was the then Umno youth chief ? Najib. But, did he (Liow) dare to accuse them ? No, he dare not," he told a strong crowd of 600 at a Chinese New Year open house in Kajang.

The arrest of 106 politicians and NGOs activists happened during Mahathir's term and had subsequently signed the two- year detain order for over 40 detainees.

While Najib was reportedly leading a massive Malay rally in Kampung Baru to protest a demonstration held earlier by Chinese education NGOs and the political party sparked by the government's decision to send non-Chinese speaking personnel to vernacular schools.

It was not  Anwar had who done something bad, causing chaos instead back then, he said, cuttingly.

101 on doing one's duty

"When Umno leaders urged the Chinese to go back to China, you just came here and said Anwar was up to no good.

"Hey, you are the president, you need to speak with a little bit of courage," he said.

During his visit yesterday, Liow (right) told Kajang's Chinese community that Anwar had caused the notorious Operasi Lalang in 1987.

This, he argued, was because he  had deployed teachers who did not comprehend Mandarin in Chinese schools.

Liow blamed Anwar for suppressing Chinese education in the 1980s when the latter was education minister, stirring dissatisfaction within the community, following that Operasi Lalang  was unleashed with 108 politicians and activists arrested.
 
Anwar said, his presence in Kajang was criticised for being a polls campaign by TV3 which aired nothing about  Liow’s visit to the same town.

"What were the issues I spoke about here? Respect each other’s religions, take care of the people, fight against price hikes. I didn't smear others and I didn't say I love Rosmah (Mansor).

Zaid  threat waved off

"We should discuss  issues, MCA should not follow Umno's style, it shouldn't become the slave of Umno," he said.

Anwar, who confirmed his Kajang by-election candidature, said he wasn't worried that his vote will be split if the former law minister Zaid Ibrahim decided to jump into the ring.

"No,it's okay," he said when asked did he fear that the former PKR leader would split his vote.

"This is a free country," he said before leaving.

Yesterday, Zaid had announced his intention to stand as a independent candidate but subject to his wife’s consent.