Reports by ALLISON LAI, ASHLEY TANG and CLARISSA CHUNG
KUALA LUMPUR: MCA aims to continue serving all Malaysians, even if the party is ridiculed by others, says Datuk Chong Sin Woon.
The MCA secretary-general said such scoffing would not be able to negate its contributions to the nation.
Chong said he believed that the people would recognise the hard work and efforts put in by the party to serve the community.
“Some have made fun of us, saying that we returned to power through the ‘back door’.
“But since its inception, MCA has been diligently discharging its duties. We are a party that has been serving the rakyat for a long time, ” he said in his speech during MCA’s 72nd anniversary celebrations at Wisma MCA here yesterday.
Chong urged party members not to feel discouraged by the criticisms levelled against them.
He said the most important thing was to hold on strongly to the party’s ideology.
“Secondly, do the right thing and, thirdly, we must work hard to win back the people’s support. If we focus on doing our duties well, the people will open their eyes.
“All the criticisms and insults will not be able to nullify the contributions and achievements that MCA has done for the country, ” he said.
Chong said Malaysia needed selfless leadership, citing examples of Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah and preacher Ebit Liew, who serve their countrymen regardless of race and religion.
He also commended academician Prof Dr Mohamad Tajuddin Mohamad Rasdi, who initiated dialogues and meaningful conversations between those of different races.
“Such personalities are needed here in Malaysia. Not those who are fighting to become the prime minister and criticising each other, or parties which keep advocating for change but are actually politicking, ” he said.
With the Covid-19 pandemic bringing devastating effects on the country, he said Malaysians needed to find solutions to face such a challenge and to rise again stronger.
Pointing to the tenacity and leadership of MCA founder Tun Tan Cheng Lock, he said the party which was founded in 1949 also had to go through many challenges over the years.
“This iron will has united us. The ideology of our founder has motivated us to stand strong until today, ” he said.
Chong added that the bitter experience during the 14th General Election was a reminder for the party’s top leadership to listen to the grassroots and to work even harder for the people.
Despite a low-key celebration this year, the event kicked off on a high note, with some members attending the meeting physically and others virtually.
The anniversary festivities were launched with a flag-raising ceremony, accompanied by the national anthem and the party song.
After the reciting of party vows, led by MCA Youth chief Datuk Nicole Wong, members were shown a video clip that depicted the challenges throughout the nation’s history such as the struggle for independence, the 1998 Asian financial crisis and, most recently, the Covid-19 pandemic.
Alongside the party’s 67th annual general meeting, members were also serenaded with songs and treated to a drum performance.
