IPOH: MCA’s gains in the Johor and Negri Sembilan elections are encouraging but the party still has much work to do to rebuild support, says party president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
“Everyone says we did well, but we need to work even harder because winning back what we have lost is not that simple.
“Regaining ground lost in previous elections will require sustained grassroots work and also support from party veterans,” he said at the Perak MCA election training workshop held here yesterday.
Dr Wee said he met party veterans during his recent visits, including some who had been members for more than 50 years, and was encouraged by their support for younger members.
He said Barisan Nasional’s victories in Johor and Negri Sembilan and MCA’s performance were the result of years of grassroots work rather than a dose of good luck.
MCA won eight of the 15 seats it contested in the Johor polls on July 11, and two seats in the Negri election on Aug 1.
Dr Wee, who is Ayer Hitam MP, said the party had also used social media to explain its policies and address misinformation, which helped it regain support from voters across communities.
He urged MCA members in Perak, which has 24 parliamentary and 59 state seats, to strengthen their presence in local communities and reconnect with voters.
Also present at the opening of the two-day workshop were MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon and Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
Dr Mah, who is Perak MCA chairman, said fence-sitters wanted the focus to be on resolving issues instead of continued political conflict.
“They want to know if the cost of living is brought under control, and whether jobs are easily accessible, if institutions are trustworthy and whether elected representatives are genuinely working to resolve problems,” he said.
Dr Mah urged members not to alienate voters who turned to other parties after once backing Barisan.
“Our task is to listen, address our shortcomings, provide good service and convince them that Barisan and MCA have learned from the past and are ready to do a better job.
“We must win their hearts before we can win their votes,” he said.
Dr Mah said Barisan and MCA need not have to be the most vocal or loudest “but needed to be the most trusted”.
“We also need to be more capable and reliable when it comes to resolving people’s problems. The people are not looking for a perfect government but one that is honest on challenges, efficient in decision-making and stable in leadership. That is what we offer,” he added.
