The Malaysian Insight

MCA loyalists are praying for a miracle to stop the Chinese party from declining further in popularity as they look to elect a new leadership later this year.

Iskandar Puteri division chief, Jason Teoh Sew Hock, called it a “broken party” devoid of youth members and which has been deserted by its grassroots supporters.

He is not optimistic that the polls will turn around the party’s fortunes.

“After the elections, you will see many more grassroots supporters walking away,” Teoh, who is also president of the Iskandar Puteri City Council, told The Malaysian Insight.

He said his division, the largest in Johor, is facing difficulties in recruiting new members, adding that the situation is not unique to Iskandar Puteri but is happening in other divisions and in their branches too.

One particular difficulty, Teoh said, is recruiting young members to fill the ranks of its youth wing so they could be groomed to be future leaders.

“We just can’t attract young professionals.”

He said a lack of support among young voters is the main reason for the defeat of most of its candidates in last year’s general election (GE15).

“The party is at its lowest point. Regardless of who assumes the leadership (after the party polls), MCA will still be in a slump,” he added.

MCA, which once boasted having a “million members” and represented the interests of the Chinese community, had been on the wane since the 2008 general election.

Over the course of four federal polls, MCA’s representation in parliament had dwindled to just two.

In GE15, the party fielded 44 candidates as part of the Barisan Nasional coalition and managed to hang on to two seats, through its president Wee Ka Siong in Ayer Hitam and Wee Jeck Seng in Tanjung Piai. Both seats are in Johor.

Stalwarts view the party’s ability to crawl out of the rut and regain its former glory as the ultimate test of its long-term survival.

Teoh said the new MCA leadership faces a gargantuan task in rehabilitating the party.

He added that it has to be reformed while at the same time navigate the minefield that is the country’s new political landscape.

“MCA can no longer merely offer its service.”

He said the party has to draw up a policy on how to tackle the young Undi18 voters.

Teoh said since hundreds of young people become voters in every constituency every month, MCA cannot rest on its laurels and ignore them.

Another key area which the party cannot take for granted is its war chest – funds to finance its elections.

He said the new leadership must improve its existing business ventures.

He pointed to Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) as a good example of a business venture that should be given greater focus. Utar also has a teaching hospital.

“It’s not that MCA doesn’t have the people with talent to do it.”

He said MCA, past and present, simply ignored that opportunity.

New leaders without baggage

MCA Economic Consultative Committee chairman Tan Tuan Peng hopes a new leadership line-up with “drive and without baggage” will emerge out of the polls.

Tan said one thing that will not change anytime soon is MCA’s position as a Chinese political party.

International Islamic University Malaysia political science lecturer Lau Zhe Wei says it is still too early to say whether the election would bring any major change to the party.

He said since there is no one willing to challenge Wee for the presidency, “there’s no bright spot in sight.”

Lau added this should not come as a surprise as a challenge means there is dissatisfaction with Wee.

But still, he said, it is his wish that there could be someone credible to contest the presidency and send Wee into retirement.

Wu Jie Min, who was previously unsuccessful in challenging Wee for the top spot, on February 1 said on his Facebook account that former party deputy president Chua Chee Yong had agreed to run for the post.

In the posting, Wu wrote: “After much persuasion, Chua Chee Yong finally agreed to reconsider dedicating himself to saving the party.”

“All of you who love the party, give him encouragement and support to get him going again. In fact, to reform, do not be afraid, take up the courage to express. MCA, do not be afraid (fear), be brave (dare).”

When asked by the media later for confirmation, Chua declined to comment.

MCA’s branch-level polls will take place on April 29 and 30, while division-level elections will be held on June 10 and 11. The central leadership re-election will be in September. – April 25, 2023.