MCA Transformation

Recovery from losses – MCA learns from experiences of political parties from abroad

Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai

MCA HQ, 5 Aug – In today’s globalized world, no country can live like a hermit and political parties are not exempt. MCA Deputy President Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai led committee members of the MCA Special Taskforce for Transformation on a work visit to Beijing from 29 July through 3 August 2013 where they met up with representatives from the Communist Party of China (CMC). “MCA is not only listening to grassroots members and Chinese community leaders but also getting views from international political parties.”

This working visit is part of the MCA Transformation process where besides gathering feedback from party grassroots leaders from Chinese guilds and associations, MCA also embarked on learning from international counterparts their organisation’s process and practice of people’s participation in local level administration and selection of village heads and party candidates.

He cited the example of the Kuomintang of Taiwan (KMT). Taking a leaf from KMT which suffered its first ever political defeat in 2000 after ruling the island since 1949 and how it rebuilt itself to recover lost confidence.

Responding to a reporter’s question who inquired regarding MCA members who not happy over members chosen as GE candidates, the lawmaker for Bentong remarked that MCA will have to go through the candidate selection process and then corroborated the information by drawing a comparison with KMT’s experience. “The KMT selection process is based on 30% from the party decision, and 70% from public. KMT uses a public survey system to see if the candidate is proper. They put 3 candidates, and the one with the majority public support becomes the candidate. In Taiwan, the public surveys are very efficient.”

Quality members above quantity

From Tiong Lai’s briefing to the media corp, it is clear that the study tour to Beijing was productive. “One of the things which we found fruitful was how they select party members. They go through a very detailed selection, training for two to three years before they can be admitted to become members. They (CPC) look for quality members and not quantity.”

Drawing an analogy with MCA’s experience, the wakil rakyat for Bentong also highlighted that “in view of this, when we went around the country in the first stage of visit (feedback gathering for party transformation), we received a lot of calls to re-register members. We want to review the number of members in our MCA. It is one of transformation agenda is to cut down our size, re-register members to get more committed and dedicated members in line with the party’s struggle which is very crucial.”

Weighing in on the comparison with Kuomintang, Tiong Lai revealed, “when they (KMT) lost in the 2000 GE, they re-registered their members. (Likewise with MCA,) We want to build in the commitment, responsibility of the members and to be proud to be a party member. We want to build a sense of belonging among party members to the party.”

Besides the KMT, the MCA delegation had also met up the Democratic Progressive Party, the Opposition in Taiwan to learn from them how they intend to succeed at the next general elections.

The MCA Deputy President then highlighted on the study tour to Beijing from 29 July to 3 August 2013 where exchange of ideas were made with representatives from the Communist Party of China (CPC). During the visit for six days, the MCA Transformation Special Taskforce managed to visit five important organisations. They are

1) Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee

2) International Department of the CPC Central Committee (special bureau where the CPC links with foreign parties)

3) Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee

4) State Internet Information Office (on how the CPC regulates the internet)

5) Party History Research Bureau

The study tour to Beijing involved visits to two rural areas i.e. one in the town and another to the village to get a clearer picture of the organisation work there.

“We are very impressed with their organizational functions where we found that they are very liberal, open in reaching out to the community and also to get the support of the people,” said Tiong Lai.

Democratic practices at the village level in Beijing

Similar to our New Villages, there are also appointments of village heads tasked with administration matters at the local village level.

“When they appoint the village heads, besides the party decision, they also go through an election process by the villagers themselves. That is the system they practise. At the village level, they have village elections to elect their ketua kampung (village head).

More exchanges between MCA and CPC expected

Plans afoot to enhance bilateral ties between MCA and CPC as relayed by Tiong Lai.

“During the visit, we also talked to one of the Deputy Ministers (International Department) where they welcomed our visit and exchanged a lot of views including how to build up relationship with MCA. They have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UMNO, and we agreed to sign a memorandum with them. We are discussing this at this stage so that in the future, we can formalise our two-party relationship.”

“This is very fruitful because they also agree. For the CPC, they have signed this MoU with more than 400 parties in the world. We think that it is a good exchange programme we can go through. In future, their leaders and ours can have more exchange programmes.”

Also present at the press conference were MCA Youth National Chairman Datuk Dr Ir Dr Wee Ka Siong, Deputy Secretary General Dato’ Dr Hou Kuk Chung and Young Professionals Bureau chairman Datuk Chua Tee Yong. Wanita MCA Chairman who could not make it for the press conference is also in the Transformation Special Taskforce committee.

- Source

Well, looks like MCA has returned to work... although I do not understand why they would need to visit other countries to 'learn'. hehehe.



Perhaps they have their reasons... but they have been rather vocal lately regarding issues close to the Chinese community's hearts.... no, not racial ones as some Malays may like to think. There are 2 issues that the Chinese hold in high importance. 1. Education 2. Economy, in that order. Religion is viewed as something personal, except for Islam, which is institutionalised and does affect everyone. Race is not even an issue that affects them. Culture, on the other hand, is, to a certain extent.

Anyway, I'm neither partial to MCA nor DAP. I'm only concerned about the welfare of the Chinese community and their future in this country. When I see certain undesirable trends affecting the community, I will voice out my thoughts.

So, let's get back to the topic.

The way I see it, the reason MCA is in their current unenviable state is partly their own undoing. The other part is UMNO. With the demise of Gerakan, MCA is the last of the Chinese political parties. I don't view DAP as a Chinese party though, because they are not.

It's all good, that as a political party, MCA is currently embarking on a transformation programme. Their current efforts are, however, only party-centric. However, I would like to know how they plan to address the lack of support from the community itself. A political party's survival depends on it's electorate.

Insecurity

Although others might argue that the Chinese are 'ganging' up or uniting against others, especially the Malays, I beg to differ. I am of the view that the Chinese community is actually feeling very, very insecure in this country. They are so worried that they are actually on the verge of panic. Which was one of the reasons they threw their support for Pakatan. There are various reasons of course. Insecurity is the root. All other reasons are only the manifestations.

I will say it as I see it. My intention is not to disparage anyone.

Education

This tops the list for most Chinese parents. Right now, they don't see any light at the end of the tunnel. There are not enough Chinese schools to accommodate the increasing number of students, especially in the urban areas. Although they are under-funded, they are relatively well-managed. From the day their kids enter pre-school, they are already planning their kid's educational path up until higher education. Some join the national stream in secondary education, and then hope for a place in public unis. But because of the limited places in public unis, some have decided to go all the way in Chinese stream, and then on to private unis. Through the years, more are opting for the latter.

MCA should help the kids. 

Not the parents... the kids. Do it for the kids, and the parents will reward you with their gratitude. Find out from the parents what their concerns and worries are. Provide solutions, working on the ground. Publicise the results, not the problems. All these publicity on low enrollment and fighting for a place in public higher education actually have the opposite effect. It just shows that MCA is weak, and puts the government in bad light. That is why many Chinese are not even perturbed that MCA is not taking positions in the government. It also shows how disconnected the MCA leadership with their community. Representation means nothing is it is not effective.

If MCA can allay the parents' fears on education, making sure that help and assistance are available for poor and deserving students, half of the battle is won. MCA must be able to show a clear path, and options, that are available for the kids' education. Do it for the kids.

As an example, English & Bahasa Melayu is a concern in Chinese schools. Most Chinese parents are very worried about English & Bahasa Melayu proficiency in a Mandarin learning environment. Sometimes, these subjects are taught by Chinese educated teachers, who are themselves, not very proficient in those languages. To learn a language, the environment is important. These classes must be taught fully in the respective languages. Organise English & BM workshops on Saturdays, but it must be conducted by an instructor whose first language is the language taught. Simple things like this will be greatly appreciated by parents, your voter base.

Young & Energetic workers/members

MCA should be more active in Chinese schools. It is one of the last bastions where DAP has not dominated.... yet. Sadly, MCA workers are hardly visible. Only those VIPs will appear during official functions like PTA meetings, when they want the votes, or publicity. Please face the fact that those days are gone. Forever.

Many from the previous crop of leaders failed miserably. They did not serve. They were self-serving. They went through the motions but delivered nothing. They took the people for granted.

If the MCA is really serious about transformation, change the people. There are many young adults who can contribute, but only if MCA appeals to them.

Youths prefer someone their closer to their own age group to lead them. Those in their 20s to 30s are ideal candidates. MCA will have to be there for community service, to resolve issues. Which is why they need younger people who possess greater stamina and drive.

You will be in the parents good books when you help their kids, and be seen doing it. Get the support of the adults through caring for their kids. Simple.


Young Adults
I think what MCA is doing for the exchange programmes is great. MCA's biggest challenge is actually their human resource. They need the right people on the ground that will appeal to the younger urban electorate. MCA needs to rebrand, fast!

They are indeed sweeties, but parading them at your events are going to cut it.

This is close, it will appeal to a certain group.

This is more like it... nice.

These are the contemporary urban Chinese youths. Does MCA appeal to them?

MCA needs to broaden their base with a more diverse group of members. They need more of the 'bananas' group. hehehe. Well sort of... actually Chinese-speaking 'bananas'. Some might feel offended by this, but it's true. They need more English-speaking professionals in their ranks. Better still, Tri-lingual. These are the ones who can be their voice, and represent the community's aspirations. Only then, can they penetrate the urban community, which it must, to survive the general elections.

The Mandarin-educated Chinese realised their weakness by being mono-lingual, emphasising too much on Mandarin and neglecting English & BM. These days, they made sure their future generations are proficient in at least 3 languages, mainly Mandarin & English & BM, in addition to their respective dialects.

Anyway, it's all about gaining the community's trust. Can the Chinese community put their trust in MCA?

We'll see....