GEORGE TOWN: Penang MCA will step up its grassroots efforts and help draw up a practical Barisan Nasional manifesto as it seeks a breakthrough in the next state election, says its chairman Datuk Tan Teik Cheng.
Tan, who is also MCA vice-president, said the party needed to reconnect with voters, identify its supporters and address issues that directly affected their daily lives.
“We must do things that voters can touch, see and feel. We must have a good plan and a clear manifesto,” he said at the Penang MCA annual convention at the Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) Penang campus on Wednesday (Sept 16).
He said Penang MCA would contest the next election as part of Barisan Nasional rather than on its own, adding that the coalition needed a manifesto containing practical measures to address issues such as the economy and cost of living.
Tan also criticised what he described as repeated assertions by the Federal Government that 85% of the population would not be affected by certain policy changes.
He said increases in electricity tariffs and other costs could have knock-on effects throughout the supply chain and ultimately affect consumers.
Tan said MCA branches should strengthen their presence in their respective constituencies instead of waiting until an election was called.
“We need to go to the ground, meet the people and understand their problems. Our representatives must be seen engaging with the people, not just issuing statements,” he said.
“The government should listen to the people. What needs to be done should be done, and what should not be done should not be imposed on the people,” he added.
Tan said Penang MCA also needed to prepare candidates who could communicate effectively in three languages and make use of social media and artificial intelligence to reach voters.
He said the party's objective was clear – to regain representation in the Penang state assembly.
“We want Penang MCA to seek a breakthrough in the next general or state election,” he said.
Also present were Penang MCA deputy chairman Chuah Tee Sung, vice-chairman Dr Tan Chuan Hong, Dr Loh Poh Chye, Goh Poh Chuan and secretary Yeoh Chin Kah.
