Undi18 the game changer and youth the kingmakers, says Mah

KUALA LUMPUR: Young Malaysians will be the kingmakers in the next general election following the implementation of Undi18, says MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon.

He said MCA Youth must attract more youths to join the party and bring change to the community and country.

“Following the implementation of Undi18, the political development in our country will see the involvement of more youngsters.

“We should create more and bigger platforms for youth to show their talents and (express their) views.

“MCA Youth must be prepared to train more youth leaders who are efficient, learned and insightful in politics,” he said when opening the 57th MCA Youth annual general meeting at Wisma MCA here yesterday.

Following the implementation of Undi18, which lowers the voting age to 18, he said these new voters comprise some 5.8 million voters or about 40% of the total electorate.

“I can say that they will be the next kingmakers.

“MCA Youth will have an important role here – they need to formulate effective strategies, know what the youth think about politics and their preferences in order to appeal to them, including making them see MCA’s political struggles,” he added.

Dr Mah said Barisan Nasional’s victory in the recent Melaka state election, winning 21 out of the 28 seats, is proof that the people would only put their trust in MCA when the party is united.

“Our unity makes the people see our struggles and give us their mandate. I call on all our members to learn from this and be united so that we succeed in the next general election,” he said.

Dr Mah added that Umno, despite having gone through many challenges after the last general election, had managed to mobilise its grassroots to unite the party and take steps to determine its direction.“As a component party in Barisan, MCA must also activate our grassroots’ forces. Not only must MCA stand up again, but it must also do so firmly.

“We must let our allies see that MCA is actively working towards revitalisation,” he added.