After two consecutive defeats in the past general elections, MCA has actively nurtured young and new blood, in an attempt to shake off the old-fashioned image of the past.
This strategy can be seen in the recent state elections where party newcomers and political novices were given the opportunity to become candidates.
In March this year, the youngest BN candidate in the Johor state polls was 27-year-old lawyer Kelly Chye from MCA. Two of the party’s Johor exco members were also below 40 years old.
Ahead of the looming 15th general election (GE15), MCA has already appointed its parliamentary and state constituency coordinators months ago to gear up and get ready for the election.
Recently, Malaysiakini interviewed three young MCA leaders to have them share their political thoughts. They are MCA spokesperson Saw Yee Fung, MCA national public complaints and service bureau deputy chief Chua Jian Boon, and Taiping Youth chief Lee Haw Chen.
They are all highly educated professionals who are expected to make their debut in the upcoming general election, representing MCA against “political heavyweights”.
Saw, who is BN Bayan Baru coordinator, has been actively showing face in the constituency since earlier this year and launched her operations room last month, with the blessing of the party president Wee Ka Siong.
Born and raised in Penang, Saw always wanted to have a chance to serve her hometown.
“So when the leadership asked me whether I am willing to set foot in Bayan Baru, I gave a definite answer,” said the MCA Raub Youth chief.
Saw joined MCA in 2014 and served as the private secretary of Chew Mei Fun, the then-deputy former women, family, and community development minister.
She has now started her pre-campaign trail in the parliamentary constituency with her #BayanBaruBaru tagline and is expected to fight against the incumbent MP Sim Tze Tzin, who won with a majority of over 37,000 in GE14.
The 33-year-old actuary said she sensed that the public response and sentiment now were very different compared to pre-GE14.
“In the last general election, the public was pulled by the sentiment to change the government so strongly and they were more hostile against BN. But now there is a significant change.
“I have been active in Bayan Baru for a few months. Although the crowd did not respond enthusiastically to me, at least no one scolded me (for being in BN) either,” she laughed.
Saw observed that many people are now more politically apathetic due to the sequence of events after GE14.
However, she was optimistic that this is a positive development as voters are finally able to put aside their political fanaticism and make a rational choice in the election.
“Last time, people voted emotionally. Although they agreed some of the BN candidates were of good quality, they still did not give their support as they thought the candidates were in the ‘wrong party’. It really was not fair to the candidates.
“But now, people can think of the election calmly. For me, I think this is something positive,” she said.
Stop the personal attacks
However, things may be different in the south. Chua Jian Boon revealed that he is still facing a lot of personal attacks and verbal abuse.
Chua, the special officer to Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi, said every politician must know how to listen to the people in order to truly understand the public sentiment, even if it is harsh criticism.
But he pointed out that this does not mean arbitrary personal attacks or unwarranted accusations are allowed.
“Recently, I have been under a lot of attacks on the internet, and even being criticised just because I uploaded a photo of me eating... This kind of behaviour needs to change.
“Everyone can have their own opinion on policy but baseless attacks will not bring any change,” he stressed.
Chua said that in politics, he sets three basic rules for himself - work hard, listen, and show respect.
“Every time when I was with the MB, we always talked about work. My style is I will always go to coffee shops in casual attire, to chat with the people and listen to them.
“This kind of groundwork is important as higher-level politicians might not have time to get in touch with the grassroots and listen to the people frequently because of their work. They end up being surrounded only by their own people who may only report the good things.
“But I will not do this. I always want to know what people are thinking, I want to know the true feelings of people. That is my approach,” he said.
‘I believe in MCA’s ideology’
Meanwhile, 41-year-old Lee Haw Chen said he has had a long history with MCA as his father was also an active party member.
Lee currently runs a traditional Chinese medicine clinic in Taiping.
“I believed in MCA’s political struggle and ideology. Therefore I joined the party right after I graduated from university.
“I always wanted to serve and help people and I do believe by joining MCA, I can do more,” he said.
Lee is currently recommended by his party division to contest in Aulong.
If Lee is nominated as the candidate, he is expected to face a tough opponent, Perak DAP chief Nga Kor Ming.
Aulong previously was Gerakan’s traditional seat. Given that seat distribution has not been finalised, Lee said that it was still uncertain if MCA would contest the area.
However, the former Taiping city councillor said that he will continue to serve the area no matter who will be the opponent, and whatever the election result might be.
“I am a grassroots leader here and I have been serving in Taiping for over a decade. We are always here to serve, no matter what.
“I would never change my intention to serve the people through a political platform,” he stressed. - Mkini
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