PETALING JAYA: Throughout his nearly two decades as MCA president, Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik had always believed in getting women to have a say in politics, former Wanita chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun says.
“For him, women’s participation in politics was not a slogan, but a commitment translated into action.”
Chew recalled the strong sense of recognition and affirmation she felt under his leadership, stressing that opportunities extended to women were not symbolic gestures but grounded in genuine trust.
“He did not see it as charity. He believed that women can, should and must step forward into leadership.”
She recounted how Dr Ling had encouraged the women’s wing of the party to organise the “Women Forward Movement”.
Dr Ling, she said, played a pivotal role in strengthening women’s voice in MCA.
In a Facebook post, she highlighted Dr Ling’s efforts to promote women’s participation and institutionalise their role within the party.
During his tenure, she said that Dr Ling personally initiated the formation of women’s branches, creating a platform for female members to speak up and develop within the party.
He also amended the party constitution to ensure that each Wanita division could elect its own representative to the MCA central committee, she said, describing this as both a structural recognition of women’s role and a meaningful empowerment of their political voice.
Chew, who is also a former Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, said that such display of foresight and openness were rare at the time.
This placed Dr Ling ahead of many of his contemporaries, she said.
Wanita MCA chief Datuk Wong You Fong described Dr Ling as a highly respected leader who placed great emphasis on nurturing women within the party and encouraging their active participation in politics.
She said Dr Ling provided many platforms for women to step forward and take on leadership roles.
Wong said that she was a young grassroots leader during Dr Ling’s tenure as party president.
One of his most significant contributions, she recounted, was amending the party constitution to ensure that dedicated Wanita MCA branches be set up.
He also encouraged party branches to establish women- only committees, which allowed female leaders to serve as branch chairpersons – positions traditionally held by men in MCA’s three main bodies, including the youth and women’s wings.
“These initiatives played a leading role in giving women a formal platform within MCA, allowing our female leaders to grow and thrive.
“Tun Ling cared for the women’s wing and created opportunities for us to contribute,” she said when contacted.
Although she was not yet part of the core leadership at the time, she spoke of attending outreach activities and programmes, such as new village tours and educational initiatives.
She said that he was always approachable and kind, with a calm and reassuring presence.
“Whenever he visited Johor, we would have the chance to meet him. He encouraged us, especially the young women, to step forward and take on leadership roles.
“He gave us space to grow and left a lasting impression on all of us,” Wong said.
