Liow: Give me a chance as MCA chief

MCA deputy president asks to be given the mandate to lead the party towards the path of transformation.

PETALING JAYA: Give me a chance to become MCA president and I will prove myself, said MCA deputy president Liow Tiong Lai.

During an interview session with FMT, Liow explained that he is running for the presidential post to ensure that the party (MCA) transforms faster and smoother.

“(So) give me a chance, give me the platform, and I will prove how I can lead in this important era,” he said.

“Also, by announcing my candidacy early, I will be able to consolidate the party and motivate the members faster towards this transformation journey,” he said.

Liow disagreed to notions that he is not an assertive leader.

“I am firm and fair and the perception that I am a soft leader is untrue.

“If you look at my political career, when I was MCA Youth Chief, I was firm and stern in running my youth bodies,” he said.

He added that because MCA lost badly in the last general election (GE13), it is pertinent for the party to find ways to transform and reform the party.

“Soliciting views from all grassroots members, I am happy to see that my members are enthusiastic and motivated to transform the party.”

“They realised that we performed badly and we have to now quickly identify the roots of the problem and solve them,” he said.

Fighting for a cause

When asked on his chances of winning in the party election, he said that what’s more important now is for MCA members to be united.

“I’ve told all my members that this is not the time for us to squabble for positions because this is the time for us to fight for a cause, to help the party.

The party needs a united team; it needs a strong team to overcome these difficulties. It is important for the members to close rank and to resolve whatever differences,” he said.

Liow also did not discount the possibility of MCA Youth Chief Wee Ka Siong becoming his running mate in the coming election.

“He (Wee) is definitely a good and talented youth leader.

“We need a team of the same vision that is to transform this party. So any members who have the same vision can come in together and work as a team,” he said.

He also expressed confidence that present MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek will not be defending his post in the upcoming party election in December.

On May 6, Chua announced that he would not seek another term as the party chief following its bad performance in GE13.

“MCA members know that he is a man of his words. He has announced his intention, and he has said that he will take responsibility.

“I think he, too, would want to see the party transforming in the right direction,” he said.

When asked to comment on the possibility of former MCA president Ong Tee Keat making a comeback in the coming party election, Liow said that as members, anyone has the right to do so.

“We welcome all members to participate in the election. If there are more members coming forward to fight for certain positions, it shows that there is a lot of enthusiasm in the members to offer their services to the party.

“We should view it in a positive light rather than looking at it in a different way,” he said.

Winning back the Chinese support

Describing the transformation task force which he currently heads, he said: “We just completed the road show (going around 13 states), now we are going into dialogues and seminars with the Chinese community.

“We also have seminars with international political parties from China, Singapore and Taiwan, giving us their views.

“We will compile the information and come up with a blueprint. Once the blueprint is ready, we will first table it to the members before making it to public,” he said.

He further explained that the blueprint will then be tabled to the party’s Central Committee for endorsement before being endorsed at the party’s annual general meeting at the end of the year.

Liow added that the re-registration of members is also important because although MCA currently has 1.1 million members, it was apparent that some MCA members did not support the party during the last general election.

“Also, the process of selecting candidates needs to be reviewed and upgraded. Instead of a delegates-elect president, we can probably have an MCA members-elect president,” he said.

Liow also conceded that the party’s image needs to be reformed.

“This is important for the party to be more acceptable and supported by our members.

“Currently, we are actually getting a lot of good feedback. I’m confident that MCA will be able to do well in the coming years,” he said.