MCA should treat gutsy Wong Siew Mun as Malaysia's icon of free speech, its ‘poster girl'
PUBLIC perception of MCA as an advocate in championing free speech has skyrocketed of late in tandem with its Pahang Youth chief Wong Siew Mun being summoned to Bukit Aman for disputing a request from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to telcos to collect mobile phone data.
For that reason, she was being investigated under Section 505 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998 respectively for allegedly causing public alarm with the circulation of a statement and misusing network facilities.
As MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong has pledged to stand firmly with her – and even to provide her with legal assistance – Wong has suddenly found herself endeared to Madani government doubters as a fighter of people's right to freedom of expression.
In fact, her courageous action in light of rife speculation of MCA exiting the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition has given the grand old party of Malaysian Chinese a glimmer of hope to rejuvenate its 'tarnished-beyond-repair' reputation.
Articulate with good command of Bahasa Malaysia, the 35-year-old who lost to DAP's Lee Chin Chen in the Bilut state seat contest during the 15th General Election (GE15) has charmed many pro-opposition voices who have begun to look up to MCA to replace the once firebrand DAP who is now a pale shadow of its former self.
Interestingly, Wong whose trip to Bukit Aman on June 18 was featured in a video clip on the Facebook of opposition-slant blogger and political activist Ratu Naga received all-rounded applause for daring to 'tear apart the Madani government'.
Berated at DAP, some commenters who are charmed with Wong's educated and professional poise even expect MCA to turn the table on DAP which they still perceive as 'seemingly communist and racist'.
Only time will tell if MCA can turn over a new leaf by being the eye, ear, nose and mouth for check and balance – and mostly to fill the void created by the so-called 'fang-less' DAP ever since the latter become part of the Madani establishment.
The bottom line is whether such role is more easily executed outside the realm of BN which is now a close ally of the Madani administration. – June 20, 2025
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