MCA wants bigger voter base
Expansion tops agenda at party’s AGM next month
KUALA LUMPUR: The expansion of MCA’s internal voter base will be the main item on the agenda when party central delegates meet for the annual general assembly next month, said party president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
“Our party must not be torn apart again because of party elections. We must show the community our resolve to change and to remain united. Only then, can we win back the public’s respect,” he said.
Earlier this year, the MCA central committee decided to adopt a more “inclusive” electoral system, expanding its voter base from the present 2,400 central delegates to include some 40,000 division-level members.
The move will require an amendment of the party constitution, which can only be done during an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) and agreed upon by the majority of central delegates.
Speaking at the Selangor MCA Youth assembly yesterday, Liow hinted that the motion to amend the constitution would be tabled at an EGM which could possibly be held during the general assembly on Nov 12 and 13.
“The ultimate objective is to allow all MCA members to vote for party leadership. This expansion is just a temporary measure,” he said.
On the move to accept non-Chinese associate members, Liow said the motion would be tabled at another EGM.
Although MCA was a community-based party, he said the party championed a plural Malaysia and protection of the welfare of various races.
“That is why I am supporting MCA Youth’s suggestion to have associate clubs,” he said, referring to associate bodies made up of other races.
Liow also lauded the 2050 National Transformation (TN50) plan that was unveiled during the Budget 2017 announcement and called on the Youth wing to fully support it.
“We support our Prime Minister’s plan to have dialogues via the TN50 agenda. The next 30 years are crucial and we cannot afford to ignore the views of our youth, who will become future leaders,” he said.
TN50 will be a series of national discourse to chart the nation’s direction towards achieving a high-calibre state.
The initiative aims at engaging the younger generation in national discourse.
At a separate event in Bentong, Liow said MCA planned to contest in three parliamentary seats and eight state seats in Pahang.
“This is our hope for Pahang. If we want to win back the seats we lost to the Opposition, we need to have more interaction with the constituents,” he said during the Pahang MCA annual meeting.