The Malaysian Insight

MCA youth is faced with a problem with the bulk of its members aged between 36 and 40.

As of March 31, the youth wing has 153,187 members, of which 96,147 are aged between 36 and 40, while 19,398 are below 30 years old.

By the next general election, the wing may lose more than 9,600 members due to age, raising the question if the party can find a next wave of successors.

In a bid to overcome this issue, MCA will reduce the minimum age for members from 18 to 16, in tandem with the lowering of voting age from 21 to 18.

But MCA has been criticised for using gimmicks to attract young members, including giving free insurance.

MCA youth chief Nicole Wong told The Malaysian Insight that the free insurance plan is no longer available, saying the party wants to attract new members with its concept and ideas.

Wong said the youth have snubbed politicians who have tried to pique their interest to vote or join politics.

“Young people are not interested in MCA when it was in government. But after becoming an opposition party last year, we believe we can attract more youth to sign up,”

Social media is another platform to attract young members and to keep them posted on the latest MCA information, she said.

With more than seven million new voters expected by 2023, Wong believes more young people will join the party.

Siew Shen Koe, central youth delegate from the Sepang division, said although many young people are not interested in joining politics, technology has played a role in bringing in some of them, with many applying to be members after last year’s general election.

Central youth delegate from the Puchong MCA division, Tan Jie Sen, said 16 is the right age to introduce young people to politics and familiarise them to party dynamics.

“Those aged 30 are busy with work and earning a living. Hence, 16 is an ideal age to familiarise them with the party’s system.”

Ler Soon Tzong of the Pasir Gudang division said the party should not resort to traditional platforms when trying to attract the youth, instead organise activities such as e-sports. – December 1, 2019.