Liow Tiong Lai has called for the party to close ranks after yesterday’s party election in his maiden speech as MCA president today, but gave no taste of what's to come under his leadership.
In his 10-minute speech at the conclusion of the MCA annual general meeting (AGM), he repeatedly called on the party's members to tolerate differences within the party
He urged them to put infighting since 2008 to rest and make preparations to ensure a comeback in the next general election.
However, he did not lay out how he would deliver his election pledge of "For our next generation, chart a new course".
Liow’s speech appears to be aimed at boosting party morale after two consecutive electoral setback and years of infighting.
Nevertheless, much of the debates at the AGM today focused how should the party shake off its image as a subordinate of Umno, how to respond to the growing influence of the opposition and how to win back the support of urban and young voters.
No concrete solution to these questions emerged out of the debates.
In his 10-minute speech at the conclusion of the MCA annual general meeting (AGM), he repeatedly called on the party's members to tolerate differences within the party
He urged them to put infighting since 2008 to rest and make preparations to ensure a comeback in the next general election.However, he did not lay out how he would deliver his election pledge of "For our next generation, chart a new course".
Liow’s speech appears to be aimed at boosting party morale after two consecutive electoral setback and years of infighting.
Nevertheless, much of the debates at the AGM today focused how should the party shake off its image as a subordinate of Umno, how to respond to the growing influence of the opposition and how to win back the support of urban and young voters.
No concrete solution to these questions emerged out of the debates.
Painful transformation
In the winding-up speeches, only MCA deputy president Wee Ka Siong spoke on education issues while Youth chief Chong Sin Woon spoke on the party's future.
Speaking to Malaysiakini after his speech, Liow said his first task is to reconsolidate the party and then reform it.
He said the party had just undergone a hotly contested election yesterday and thus he wants emotions to cool down first before making his move.
"The transformation will be a painful experience, so we need to reconsolidate first, only then we will succeed," he said.
In his speech, Liow said there will no longer be a "Liow faction" or "Chua faction", the latter referring to his predecessor Dr Chua Soi Lek, whose son Chua Tee Yong is now the party vice president.
"There are no factions in MCA, it is a united party. With a renewed party we will fight for a better future," he said, reiterating his call for those who lost in the election to close ranks and unite for the party’s sake.
He hopes that the party’s grassroots will give the new leadership some time to deal with appointments of local councillors, state exco members, and federal government positions, stressing that the appointments will be one that "embraces differences".
He pledged that the leadership will work hard with the party's grassroots to regain public confidence in the party, and hopes to win back 30 percent of the Chinese Malaysian vote in the next election.
Speaking to Malaysiakini after his speech, Liow said his first task is to reconsolidate the party and then reform it.
He said the party had just undergone a hotly contested election yesterday and thus he wants emotions to cool down first before making his move.
"The transformation will be a painful experience, so we need to reconsolidate first, only then we will succeed," he said.
In his speech, Liow said there will no longer be a "Liow faction" or "Chua faction", the latter referring to his predecessor Dr Chua Soi Lek, whose son Chua Tee Yong is now the party vice president."There are no factions in MCA, it is a united party. With a renewed party we will fight for a better future," he said, reiterating his call for those who lost in the election to close ranks and unite for the party’s sake.
He hopes that the party’s grassroots will give the new leadership some time to deal with appointments of local councillors, state exco members, and federal government positions, stressing that the appointments will be one that "embraces differences".
He pledged that the leadership will work hard with the party's grassroots to regain public confidence in the party, and hopes to win back 30 percent of the Chinese Malaysian vote in the next election.
Wee to play 'second brother'
Meanwhile, Wee similarly urged the party members to unite. He pledged to play the role of a 'second brother' and not meddle with Liow's power nor threaten his position.
He urged all groups to give Liow support and some time to reform MCA, because he had proven himself to be able to accept any leader who can contribute to the party.
"Liow is a gentleman and he has his own personality. I think it is unimportant whether he is aggressive, but a leader must be righteous and principled, and cannot be arrogant.
"Therefore I urge the delegates to give him some time, because his leadership style in the past shows that he can accommodate leaders from any group as long as they can contribute to the party," he said.
He also stressed that the party's grassroots leaders too must unite, not just the top leadership, and hopes that the party's website will direct its attention to enemies outside of the party instead of being a tool for infighting.
Meanwhile from Chua's camp, Tee Yong vowed to deliver his promise to close ranks just as his father had delivered his promise not to contest in party election yesterday.
"When we announced our decision to contest on Dec 6, I promised to respect the delegate’s decision, close ranks after the election, and work with the leader," he said.
He urged all groups to give Liow support and some time to reform MCA, because he had proven himself to be able to accept any leader who can contribute to the party.
"Liow is a gentleman and he has his own personality. I think it is unimportant whether he is aggressive, but a leader must be righteous and principled, and cannot be arrogant.
"Therefore I urge the delegates to give him some time, because his leadership style in the past shows that he can accommodate leaders from any group as long as they can contribute to the party," he said.He also stressed that the party's grassroots leaders too must unite, not just the top leadership, and hopes that the party's website will direct its attention to enemies outside of the party instead of being a tool for infighting.
Meanwhile from Chua's camp, Tee Yong vowed to deliver his promise to close ranks just as his father had delivered his promise not to contest in party election yesterday.
"When we announced our decision to contest on Dec 6, I promised to respect the delegate’s decision, close ranks after the election, and work with the leader," he said.
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