KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia, as a multiracial country, will always need diverse leaders to represent the voices of different communities, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The MCA president said the party would always defend its principle of protecting racial harmony, regardless of how the Malaysian political landscape evolves.
“The two recent state elections in Johor and Negri Sembilan showed significant changes in the Malaysian political landscape, and I believe the situation will be much different by the time the 16th General Election (GE16) takes place.
“No matter how the political landscape evolves, MCA will always need the support of all people.
“We will also always uphold the Federal Constitution and reject anything that goes against it,” he said during “The Legacy 2.0: The Flame Lives On” all-star charity concert at Wisma MCA here yesterday.
The concert dinner, themed “Legacy: Passing on the Flame, Voices Across the Land”, was organised by the Terengganu MCA state liaison committee.
Some 100 Terengganu MCA members, along with leaders from the state’s eight MCA branches, attended the concert with federal-level party members and leaders.
Dr Wee commended the Terengganu MCA state liaison committee for the concert’s success, expressing hope that MCA would strengthen its influence in Terengganu and nationwide.
“Having 100 Terengganu MCA members return to Dewan San Choon tonight is very meaningful.
“I hope that you can further strengthen yourselves and engage more with the grassroots in Terengganu so that MCA can be stronger there,” he said.
Dr Wee noted that although MCA won several seats in the recent Johor and Negri Sembilan polls, the party still faces many challenges ahead, particularly in the upcoming Melaka election and GE16.
“MCA needs to move even faster and bring in more talent to face these challenges,” he said.
Meanwhile, Terengganu MCA state liaison committee chairman Datuk Dr Monna Ong Siew Siew said the party must thoroughly study PAS, which currently administers the state, to formulate better strategies for the coming election.
“We cannot avoid discussing PAS when talking about Terengganu politics.
“At the national level, PAS has also grown, and we cannot pretend not to see it.”
She added that PAS’ growth over its 75-year history had been built through strong and deep engagement with the community, which had enhanced its ideological influence.
“This is something we should study.
“This doesn’t mean we agree with PAS or fear them, but we must understand their strengths to leverage our own position and eventually overtake them,” she said.
Also present were MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, party secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon, party veteran and former Transport minister Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy and Terengganu MCA state liaison committee deputy chairman Datuk Soh Kok Hiang.
