KUALA LUMPUR: Wanita MCA is making a clear bid to strengthen its political clout by recruiting more young women and positioning itself as a central player in the party’s election machinery, says its chief, Datuk Wong You Fong.
Wong said Wanita MCA is no longer just a supporting wing, but a key driver of the party’s renewal, backed by hard numbers and a defined political mission.
She revealed that the number of new female members aged 35 and below has surged by 145% over the past three years.
New young women members rose from 124 in 2022 to 258 in 2023, and climbed further to 304 as of October this year.
“This means young women are willing to come into MCA. They trust Wanita MCA, they identify with our direction, and they see our professionalism and strength,” she said when delivering her policy speech at the 3rd General Assembly of the 17th term of Wanita MCA central delegates at Wisma MCA on Saturday (Dec 6).
She added that the steady growth over three years shows that more young women recognise and accept Wanita MCA’s role and agenda.
Johor leads the way in recruiting young women members, followed by Selangor, while the Federal Territories have also recorded significant growth, which she said proves that Wanita MCA’s outreach in urban areas is bearing fruit.
Other states, including Pahang, Kedah, Melaka and Terengganu, are also seeing stable increases in young female membership.
She underlined that Wanita MCA already proved its capability on the ground during the recent Sabah state election, where its leaders and members campaigned intensively for party candidates.
“In the recent Sabah state election, Wanita MCA worked tirelessly to help our candidates. Many of our women leaders went into villages and towns, day and night, rain or shine.
"This proves that Wanita MCA is at the core of the party’s mobilisation efforts,” she said.
Turning to the national political landscape, Wong warned that both the general and state elections could be called at any time, and used her speech to send a clear signal that Wanita MCA intends to be at the forefront.
“Wanita MCA is ready. We are ready to be the main election machinery. We are ready to provide 30% women candidates. And we are ready to strengthen support from women voters, from families and from young people,” she added.
