Chua: MCA a stronger, united party

Dr Chua with MCA leaders releasing balloons at the start of the party anniversary celebrations

KUALA LUMPUR: The MCA has emerged more united and stronger today after surmounting many crises, party president Dr Chua Soi Lek declared at the party's 63rd anniversary celebration attended by more than 3,000 delegates, the highest turnout at any such a gathering of the party.

Two years ago, MCA was at a crossroads, but after a new team (of leaders) was elected, the party has been working hard to regain the trust of the people and make itself relevant again, he told the delegates at Dewan San Choon, here.

"We have to accept the fact that the people won't support a party that is besieged with problems. We have to set our priorities right so that we can move in one direction. The way forward is to be in sync with one another and work in one common effort but having many goals," he said.

Chua said there is no room for splinter groups within the party as it will destroy what the party has built in the last six decades and there is no denial that there is internal bickering but the priority now is to build a strong foundation of growth for the party as well as the nation.

He said MCA needs to continue to evolve, innovate and anticipate so that the party can be an inspiring force in the Malaysia of tomorrow.

"Being a political party, we have to anticipate the challenges in today's political environment which has become more demanding. Leaders can come and go but the party will continue to exist," he said, adding that different party leaderships would have different styles, approaches and initiatives.

Therefore, in line with the new political culture, he said, the MCA has taken a more high-profile approach in politics, set achievable goals and branded the party accordingly.

"Although MCA has been perceived as more vocal and more effective in solving problems now, the problem we face is that the people may not be aware of what we are doing. They are more critical of what you have not done or failed to do," he said.

'We walk the talk'

Nevertheless, he said, the party firmly believes in upholding the responsibility and would continue to articulate the hopes and expectations of the people.

Chua said MCA remains relevant as there are people who still rely on the party for help.

"At the MCA headquarters, we receive hundreds of calls daily seeking help. Our complaints bureau has also been a hive of activity always. This is because MCA does not only talk; we walk the talk, and work and deliver," he said.

The party is not in the business of trumpeting its achievements, unlike certain political parties which do not do much and are only good at glorifying and magnifying what they do, he said.

"Our only appeal to the people is to be fair to the MCA when making their evaluation," he said.

He also said that though MCA is Chinese-based, the party's programmes are structured to benefit the multi-racial population and it has diversified from its ethnic-based image by no longer looking at or addressing issues solely on the standpoint of a Chinese, Malay or Indian perspective.

"We are for a social contract that is inclusive to better serve the people in all fairness and in realising the wishes of the rakyat (people). This is also in line with the 1Malaysia agenda of 'People First'," he said.

-Bernama-

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