By Alan Ting
KUALA LUMPUR, March 4 (Bernama) -- The MCA, the second largest Barisan Nasional (BN) component party, has found its footing and is gainning momentum towards winning back the hearts and minds of not just Malaysian Chinese but also people of other races in the country, its president, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, said Thursday.
"I would be lying if I say the MCA's turnaround post-March 8 has been resounding, but I believe we are on the right track. There is still a lot to be done," he told Bernama in a interview.
Ong said the party had come out with several initiatives which had put the party on track to winning back support, such as setting up the 1Malaysia Community Alliance Foundation and focusing on improving the quality of life and future well-being of the poorer segments of society, including the urban poor.
"The foundation will look into several key result areas affecting education and skills development, community care, plight and issues of hawkers and petty traders, healthcare as well as shelter and housing. This will truly be an initiative that focuses on 'people first'.
"For example, the 1MCA Mobile Service Centre, which is scheduled to be launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in conjunction with the AGM (this weekend), will ensure that we genuinely reach out to the people who need assistance as opposed to asking them to approach us," he said.
Besides that, Ong said, the party had also set up a non-governmental organisation (NGO) consultative council to move away from its traditional approach of ad hoc consultation and just championing certain sectarian interests to wider and greater participation by various community stakeholders.
"The MCA has to reach out to forge genuine partnerships with community stakeholders who are faced with real challenges and issues. We need to be proactive partners in seeking solutions with clear short, medium and long-term plans.
"We can't afford to provide one-size-fits-all solutions, which is why we must be issues-centric by coming together in specific causes, namely economy, politics, education, social harmony as well as culture and arts, to look into specific issues affecting specific segments of the community," he said.
Ong said the party had completed several dialogues with several groups, including members of an interfaith council, footwear manufacturers, the SMI Association of Malaysia and Malaysian Retail Chain Association to speak up on issues affecting these people.
"We have learnt that the party must not only be involved in mainstream politics and deliver on its promises but also be seen to be speaking up," he said.
On the party's focus, Ong said he would continue with the message of change and would announce the party's KRAs (Key Result Areas), which would focus on five areas.
This comprised preparing the party machinery for the 13th general election and the membership drive, assisting the needy through the 1Malaysia Community Alliance Foundation (1MCA), engaging and championing the interests of community stakeholders via the "1MCA NGO Consultative Council", integrity, transparency and good party governance as well as introducing direct presidential and state liaison committee elections.
During the interview, Ong also spoke about feedback from the ground and that the fewer public spats between party leaders of late had gradually improved the level of public confidence in the MCA.
"The MCA is now making inroads to woo back the Chinese community. March 8 (2008) was a painful experience for the party but hopefully the lessons learnt will put the MCA in better stead in regaining its pride, come the 13th general election," he said.
Asked if internal conflicts had made it harder for the party to win back the Chinese support, Ong said there was bound to be differences in opinions as the MCA had more than a million members but what the members now wanted was for the party to move forward.
"I have come across members who had never been my strong supporters (before) telling me that the party should stop the internal bickering and focus on winning the next general election. In the central committee, the overwhelming majority wants the party to pull up our sleeves and begin the work of winning back public confidence in the MCA.
"With this kind of resolve from an overwhelming majority of MCA members, if we can stay focused, we will be able to win back support," he said.
On how he viewed his leadership in the past 12 months, Ong said there were ups and downs but each achievement would only drive him to work harder while each setback would only make him stronger and wiser.
"I took over the presidency at a time when the party was at one of its lowest ebbs following the March 8 general election setback. I am grateful for the overwhelming support that the members have shown as we crawl out of the doldrums to make an honourable comeback in the next general election.
"There is still a lot work to be done and we will not shirk our responsibilities towards the people. One can't go wrong if he or she has the interest of the people and party first and foremost.
"Politicking in itself will not get you very far," he said.
Asked if the postponement of last year's party annual general meeting (AGM)to this weekend was a setback for the party, Ong said he did not think so because "in politics, there is always a time and place for everything."
"The party's general assembly was supposed to be held in November last year, but this was postponed as the MCA Central Committee felt that there was a need to adjust the timing. This coming weekend is a good time as it also coincides with the MCA anniversary, which is traditionally held either in late February or early March," he said.
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