Heng to defend her post in upcoming MCA polls
IPOH: Wanita MCA chief Datuk Heng Seai Kie is set to defend her post in the upcoming party polls.
Heng, who also won the Perak Wanita MCA chief post uncontested last week, said she would declare her vision and mission, especially for the wing, during a manifesto launch soon.
Heng said the contest was an open one and was unaware if there would be any challengers for the wing’s top position.
“However, what is more important is for a fair, clean and free party election,” she said.
Heng urged all MCA members, especially leaders, to respect the decisions, opinions and ideas from the grassroots if they really wanted to revamp the party.
“This (respect) is the most crucial quality of a leader,” she told reporters at the Perak Wanita MCA annual general meeting at the Red Crescent Hall here yesterday.
Heng said there should be no teams in the party and called for all delegates to collectively pick leaders who they are confident with.
She said MCA’s parent body along with its Wanita and Youth wings should not interfere in each other’s decisions in the elections.
“Everyone should be allowed on their own accord to pick the best candidate without having any favouritism,” she said.
Decisions, she said, should be made according to law, party constitution, rules and regulations.
A resolution thanking the party president for his leadership and contribution for the past five years was also passed during the AGM, she said.
Heng declined to state if Wanita MCA supported incumbent deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong’s decision to contest for president and Perak MCA chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon’s decision to contest for deputy president.
“Like I said earlier, the wing will not interfere in the main and youth elections, and I hope they will do the same as well in our case. Because by not interfering it will reduce a lot of problems.
“Otherwise with interference, the elections become very complicated and stressful. So the candidates are the ones that should be convincing the delegates that they are the best choice, and no one else,” she added.
Heng said the candidates should promote themselves in a positive way without defaming their opponents.
“After all we are one big family, and after the party elections we have to work together. It is not like the general election where we face opponents from different parties.
“No matter what differences we have, at the end we in MCA must be in the same room to face one anoth- er after the elections.
“Thus it should be a fair and clean election, and candidates and leaders must not force a ‘package’ or ‘menu’ for delegates to choose,” she added.
Meanwhile, Daniel Wa is the new Perak MCA Youth chief.
The 30-year-old, who is pursuing his Masters in Business Administration in Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kampar, beat former Ipoh city councillor Low Guo Nan, 35.
Wa polled 143 votes while Low bagged 82 during the polls on Saturday night.
Incumbent Perak MCA Youth chief Ting Tai Fook did not seek re-election.
Wa said the immediate task for him and his team was to be a strong opposition and keep tabs on the Pakatan Harapan government.
“We will not hesitate to voice out when they are not doing the right things,” he said.
Barisan Nasional, which includes MCA among its component parties, lost its grip on the federal government and several state governments including Perak during the 14th General Election on May 9.
Incumbent MCA Youth chief Datuk Chong Sin Woon is also not seeking re-election.
Those eyeing to replace Chong include MCA Youth legal bureau chief Ng Kian Nam, 39 and MCA Youth vice-chairman Nicole Wong, 38.
Nomination for MCA national level elections for Youth, Wanita and the parent body is on Oct 15.
Polling is set on Nov 3 for Youth and Wanita and Nov 4 for the parent body.