Future forward: Dr Mah (second row, centre), flanked by Datuk Chong Sin Woon (left) and Ling Tian Soon, among delegates at the MCA Youth general assembly. — LOW LAY PHON/The Star
Mah urges MCA members to adapt to shift in political tide
KUALA LUMPUR: The recent Sabah election may signal a shift in the political tide, but MCA will not automatically benefit from any backlash against its rivals unless it develops a new “winning formula” and clearer positioning, says party deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon.
In his opening address at MCA Youth’s third general assembly of the 26th Central Delegates, Dr Mah urged members not to treat the Sabah results as a guaranteed advantage for the party. He said MCA must act as a “mature and responsible party” and resist the temptation to celebrate simply because others performed worse.
“We cannot assume we have ‘won’ just because others suffered heavier defeats. Nor will we stand on stage and talk endlessly, spinning and sweet-talking without any bottom line,” he said.
Dr Mah said the real challenge for MCA was to understand the shift in voter sentiment and respond with concrete work and credible policies rather than slogans.
He noted that many party workers had just returned from campaigning in Sabah and said the outcome clearly showed that past assumptions about “vote banks” and “fixed deposits” were no longer reliable.
“Once, people said Sabah and Sarawak were Barisan Nasional’s vote bank. Later events overturned that theory. People also used to say Chinese voters were a fixed base for certain parties. But the latest results show the situation has changed.”
Dr Mah said MCA members must be realistic and responsible in interpreting the changing political landscape.
“We believe in evidence and careful analysis. We should not assume that anything that is unfavourable to our traditional opponents will automatically be favourable to us. We must also ask ourselves: with new forces, new developments and a new political configuration, are we ready to face a stronger tide? Even if a big wave against the current government is forming, have we prepared ourselves to ride that wave?” he said.
Dr Mah noted that the next general election would likely be more complex and challenging than past contests, with more players and more variables in the field.
“Whether, in this rising tide, we become drowning victims or those who ride the waves depends on our understanding and preparation now.”
He acknowledged that the party had suffered four consecutive general election setbacks, raising difficult questions that could no longer be avoided.
“A harsh reality we must face is this: how long are we going to keep losing? No war has ever been won simply because enough people were sacrificed,” he said.
“To win, we must find a new victory equation and new positioning. It is something the entire party must reflect on deeply.”
Dr Mah said Malaysians were tired of “flashy but empty slogans” and political promises that were never fulfilled.
He also said political parties must adapt to a “post-truth” era and rethink how they engage Generation Z, including by developing a leadership model that integrates youth as a core pillar.
He added that the digital environment had produced a generation of voters better equipped to navigate online information, describing Gen Z as “digital natives” with stronger fact-checking abilities, broader horizons and more flexible thinking.
“They grew up in the online world. Their ability to verify information is stronger, their outlook is wider and their thinking is more agile. They may not be enthusiastic about traditional politics, but they are participating in public issues in their own way.”
Dr Mah said this group should not be seen merely as a new vote bank but as a new source of ideas and energy for the community and the nation. He urged MCA Youth to deepen its engagement with younger Malaysians, especially Chinese youths, by understanding their needs and helping them play a role in nation-building.
