If the Chinese Malaysian community perceives that the MCA is under-performing, it is because the political party has not adequately explained its efforts to protect their interests.

This was Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's take on why the MCA, a Barisan Nasional (BN) component party, has fallen in the estimation of its constituents.

In an interview published today by Sin Chew Daily, Najib said the MCA has been told to go all out to correct such sentiments, especially with the anticipation that there will be a swing in Chinese support to opposition parties in the next general election.

Najib, who is also the BN deputy chairperson, was asked to comment on the community's anger with the MCA and the party's possible loss of political support.

There is also a widely-held sentiment among MCA leaders that - while they are busy 'fire fighting' - other BN leaders are setting fires and stirring up the community's feelings on numerous issues that affect its interests.

Najib appeared to differ with the view but told the MCA that its challenge is to explain various government policies to the community.

"MCA president Ong Ka Ting has always been in contact with me and (we) seek to solve the problems together. They (party leaders) don't play up the issues to get publicity but choose to seek help through consultation in the cabinet," said Najib.

He expressed confidence that the MCA will continue to find support from Chinese voters, but reiterated that it should intensify efforts to explain how it protects the community's interests, as well as to clarify mis-perceptions.

Opinion polls have suggested that two of out three Chinese voters are likely to vote for the opposition in the next general election, with concern about economic issues and the crime rate topping their list.

Najib refused to assess the opposition's chances in the election, speculated to be called any time from late this year to early next year. The BN mandate does not expire until April 2009.

'Mistakes with NEP'

Najib also said Umno leaders have accepted the fact that students of all races cannot study under one roof in any particular stream of education.

"There is no uniformity in our education system, which comprises Chinese, Tamil and national schools [...] Umno leaders have accepted the reality and have not made any suggestion to close Chinese schools," he said.

Najib did not offer any comment on the 'Vision School' policy - mooted during ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's administration, to group students of all races under one roof in order to reduce racial polarisation.

Vernacular educationists had opposed the policy, which they saw as efforts to close the vernacular schools eventually.

Since Mahathir stepped down in October 2003, the government has also embarked on a series of efforts to recruit more non-Malay students into national schools for the same purpose.

In the interview, Najib admitted that there are problems with the implementation of the New Economic Policy (NEP) but defended the need to maintain the controversial policy.

"If the government doesn't assist the Malays, they will be worse off and lag behind (other races). The issue is how to assist the Malays to be independent in a suitable way.

"I admit that the government has helped Malays who are not eligible (for assistance) and these Malays have not used the opportunity to learn how to be independent. We know the weaknesses and we will try addressing the problem."

Various quarters have called on the government to do away with the NEP, an affirmative action policy which has given preferential treatment to bumiputeras since it was implemented in the 1970s.

One critic of the NEP was Najib's younger brother, prominent banker Nazir, who has argued that the policy needs to be "reviewed thoroughly".