MCA SET TO RE-EMERGE AS POLITICAL POWERHOUSE
Liow’s efforts to democratise party by allowing 33,000 divisional delegates to elect central leadership bearing fruit
THE past 10 years have not been kind to MCA, a Chinese-based party that was once hailed as a dominant and impenetrable force in Malaysian politics.
Beset with disastrous setbacks in the last two general elections, MCA has struggled to recover from protracted leadership crises that have rocked the party to its core.
The Barisan Nasional component party used to enjoy immense support.
In the 11th General Election in 2004, MCA won 31 parliamentary and 77 state seats.
But by 2013, the 68-year-old party was reduced to a shadow of
its former self.
It had only managed to retain seven parliamentary and 11 state seats in a closely-contested election.
Faced with rejection by the Chinese community, MCA found itself in fresh turmoil amid a feud between then party president Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek and his deputy, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
As the dust settled, Liow emerged as the new MCA chief and he set the party on a journey of transformation out of the doldrums and rejuvenate itself.
Besides lifting a ban that prevented MCA leaders from taking up cabinet posts, he worked to eliminate the factionalism that had plagued the party for decades.
Liow also spearheaded efforts to democratise the party by allowing 33,000 divisional delegates to elect the central leadership.
Previously, this right was only held by several thousand central delegates.
A senior party leader said these efforts had not only unified the party, but also paved the way for MCA to bounce back in the 14th General Election and re-emerge as a political powerhouse.
“The move to decentralise voting power has ironically made Liow more popular and powerful. For the first time in its history, the party grassroots feel empowered.”
MCA publicity spokesman Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker said he expected the party to “flex its muscles” during its 64th annual general assembly this weekend, which will be attended by 2,400 central delegates.
“The primary focus of the AGM will be the election. MCA’s internal squabbles left us in low spirits.
“I believe we are now more united than ever.”
He added that the progress made by MCA and BN, especially in education and the economy, had helped the flailing party reconnect with the Chinese community.
During a mammoth gathering with 30,000 Chinese Malaysians in September, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the government would approve more Chinese school projects, especially in new growth areas, to meet increasing demand from the community.
Last week, the government approved a proposal to build 10 more Chinese vernacular primary
schools in Johor and Selangor.
Najib, who is also BN chairman, is scheduled to launch the AGM tomorrow.
Political analyst and veteran economist Prof Dr Hoo Ke Ping agreed with Ti’s assessment, saying MCA had succeeded in forming a united front and vanquishing the spectre that had loomed over it.
“The political hustings organised by MCA recently saw the participation of many Malaysians despite their growing apathy to politics in general.
“That says a lot about how far MCA has come.”
He also said fresh blood like MCA Youth chief Datuk Chong Sin Woon had started to make a difference in reshaping the party’s soiled image.
“The Chinese are generally more concerned about their livelihoods and the rising cost of living. MCA’s efforts in boosting business opportunities will go a long way in regaining their support,” he said.
A source close to the party leadership said Liow had ensured unity by appointing Chua’s former right-hand men to leadership positions and allowing them to contest the general election.
In what may well be the last gathering before GE14, this year ’s AGM will be keenly observed as Liow and Najib are poised to sound the clarion call for all party members to put their best foot forward and assert their dominance over a fractured and scandal-hit opposition.