MCA to amend party constitution for general election

KUALA LUMPUR: It may still be a long way to the next general election, but MCA is already gearing towards it, says party secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon.

He said the party would amend its constitution so that party elections would only be held six months after a general election.

“This is to make sure that members and leaders at all levels will focus on winning the general election first, ” he told the media at Wisma MCA here yesterday.

This is one of the three major amendments to be tabled for approval at the MCA AGM here this Sunday.

MCA, together with its Youth and Wanita wings, hold elections at branch, division, state and national levels every three years.

However, the party constitution allows elections to be postponed if the general election is two years away, but this unsettles some members as there is no definite date for the next party election.

“With the amendment, we all know for sure that party elections only start six months after a general election.

“That means all in the party will work towards the general election once party elections are over, ” Chong said.

Elaborating on the new party election cycle, he said leaders elected in the party would have a tenure of at least five years if the government goes for full term or five years.

Asked what would happen if Parliament is dissolved after two years and a snap election is called, he said party elections would only be held once the current line-up completes 36 months in office.

Chong said another proposed amendment is to lower the minimum age for joining MCA from 18 years to 16.

This follows the recent approval in Parliament to lower the minimum age of voters from 21 to 18 years.

Chong said another proposed amendment is to allow non-Chinese Malaysians to join MCA as affiliate members.

He said this came following many requests from groups like Kadazans and Indians, among others, to join MCA.

He said affiliate members are MCA-friendly, but have no voting rights. The affiliate membership is not open to the Chinese.

Set up in 1949, MCA has 1.068 million members.

Chong said the AGM for the Youth and Wanita wings will be held here tomorrow before the party AGM on Sunday.

He said Barisan Nasional component party leaders from Umno and MIC will attend the opening ceremony at Wisma MCA on Sunday, along with 32 veteran MCA leaders.

Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will open the AGM, while the Youth and Wanita AGMs will be opened by deputy MCA president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon and Chong, respectively. - Star