Wee said MCA has no issues being backbenchers and without positions in the Cabinet or GLCs.
“We are perfectly fine, despite some cynically mocking us … it does not affect us in the slightest.
“We remain committed to playing our role to the fullest by upholding democracy, including serving as checks and balances to the government,” he said at Barisan Nasional’s golden jubilee celebration at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur today.
He said MCA’s members have been backbenchers as well as in the opposition, but none of this had hindered the party from contributing to the nation.
“Unfortunately, some leaders within the government bloc fail to understand the essence of democracy,” he said, citing an incident where DAP’s Kapar MP Chong Zhemin wanted him referred to the rights and privileges committee.
“This clearly shows their arrogance and conceit. They cannot tolerate criticism, believe themselves to be infallible, and dismiss the voice of the people.
“As part of the government, should we remain silent when mistakes are being made? We aim to ensure that BN remains vibrant and principled. If something is wrong, we correct it, that’s all,” said the Ayer Hitam MP.
Last month, Chong sought to refer Wee to the rights and privileges committee after the MCA president sparred with economy minister Rafizi Ramli over the cost of the government’s central database hub (Padu).
Chong contended that Wee had misled the House and imputed improper motives to Rafizi by stating that the cost of developing Padu was RM85 million.
Rafizi denied that the government had spent RM85 million to establish Padu, saying it had only spent RM31 million on the system as of September.
Wee, however, contended that the RM85 million figure he had repeatedly mentioned was from past written parliamentary replies from Rafizi.
Chong also claimed that Wee had referred Rafizi to the committee by raising Standing Order 36(12) – an allegation Wee denied in a letter to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul.
Last week, Wee insisted that he never referred Rafizi to the committee, pointing out that this was clear from the Hansard and video recordings of the Dewan Rakyat proceedings.
He said he had only interjected to seek clarification and had “no intention of dragging the minister to the committee”.
Johari rejected Chong’s motion as he found that both Wee and Rafizi referred to different figures in different contexts, and both were correct. He also found that Wee had no intention to mislead the lower House.