Outgoing MCA Wanita chief Yu Chok Tow has made an urgent plea that the ailing party be reformed, warning that this would be the party's last chance to do so or face oblivion.
Yu (right) said the party had already missed an opportunity to reform after its electoral defeat in 2008, resulting in another setback in the 2013 general election."As a Chinese-based political party claiming to represent the Chinese community, MCA only won about 15 percent of the Chinese votes and the number of votes from young voters won by MCA was almost negligible.
"MCA is made almost irrelevant. If MCA fails to revive and regenerate itself, this 64-year old political party will likely fade into oblivion... Fellow comrades, this is the last chance for MCA to reform.
"We absolutely cannot afford to miss again this opportunity for change. If we fail to reform, we will not be given another chance by the people; and neither will history. "Time is running out on us," Yu said in her policy speech at the Wanita MCA annual general meeting (AGM) today.
She was addressing 1,838 delegates, who will be voting in the wing's new leadership later today. The attendance rate is 87.03 percent.
‘Work hard to win back support’
Nevertheless, she urged MCA members to remain confident and work hard to win back support, pointing out that the party had beaten DAP in elections six out of nine times, which shows the Chinese community supports MCA more often than not.
In her speech, Yu also spoke on Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’sBumiputra Economic Empowerment Plan, which she says is clearly aimed to reward Malays and bumiputras for supporting the BN in the last election.
While there are “practical political considerations” when a ruling party rewards supporters, she said, policies should not lead to marginalisation of other ethnic groups and race-based policies should be gradually reduced to help Malaysia remain internationally competitive.
“A politician should have a perspective and tolerance beyond the consideration of getting votes in an election.
“An election is a one-time affair and voters’ choice may change over time, but the overall interest of a nation is for the long term,” she said.
She also stressed that voting preferences should not be equated with patriotism or the lack of it, because voting is merely one of many duties of a citizen besides being law-abiding, paying taxes and developing the economy, among others.
“Therefore, no one should accuse Chinese Malaysians of being ungrateful or not patriotic simply on the basis of their voting choice.
“There are many forms, venues and platforms to express one’s gratefulness and patriotism. Voting during an election is just one of them,” she said.
Nevertheless, she urged MCA members to remain confident and work hard to win back support, pointing out that the party had beaten DAP in elections six out of nine times, which shows the Chinese community supports MCA more often than not.
In her speech, Yu also spoke on Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’sBumiputra Economic Empowerment Plan, which she says is clearly aimed to reward Malays and bumiputras for supporting the BN in the last election.
While there are “practical political considerations” when a ruling party rewards supporters, she said, policies should not lead to marginalisation of other ethnic groups and race-based policies should be gradually reduced to help Malaysia remain internationally competitive.
“A politician should have a perspective and tolerance beyond the consideration of getting votes in an election.
“An election is a one-time affair and voters’ choice may change over time, but the overall interest of a nation is for the long term,” she said.
She also stressed that voting preferences should not be equated with patriotism or the lack of it, because voting is merely one of many duties of a citizen besides being law-abiding, paying taxes and developing the economy, among others.
“Therefore, no one should accuse Chinese Malaysians of being ungrateful or not patriotic simply on the basis of their voting choice.
“There are many forms, venues and platforms to express one’s gratefulness and patriotism. Voting during an election is just one of them,” she said.
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