MCA Talents Race To Raise The Bar And Issued Challenge To Debate

A media associate alerted us of this interesting incident at an MCA Division at yesterday’s nomination.

Apparently a challenge to debate ala ‘Anwar vs Shabery’ has been issued by challengers to the incumbents of the top positions of Division & Deputy Chairmen and Youth & Deputy Chairmen. The reason for debate challenge was to allow delegates to make informed decision based on the vision and leadership ability of candidates. Sadly, incumbents waved away the challenge as they felt that it is not important (!) However, the challengers will be waiting at the appointed venue for the debate.

The most interesting fact is that the challengers are not your typical Ah Pek MCA members. These are young men in their prime, articulated, keeps up with new politics and speaks better in Bahasa Malaysia rather than in Mandarin only (!).

If its members have no problem engaging thoughts and opinions in our national language, MCA’s place under the new Malaysia political sun is further uplifted. The new MCA President (Ong Tee Keat?) better get these chaps into his team to lead the way, to thwart the negative prediction of MCA’s demise next GE.

Here’s the press statement issued by the new wave politicians:

-Press Statement For Immediate Release-

22 July, 2008

Subject: Contest for top posts in MCA Lembah Pantai Division: The Talented Race To Raise The Bar And Issued Challenge To Debate

KUALA LUMPUR: Lembah Pantai MCA Division witnessed a challenge for the top positions today and the challengers issuing a call for debate between incumbent and contestants at the close of this evening’s nomination day.

The posts of Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Youth Chairman, Youth Deputy Chairman and Youth Secretary are being contested by members from Bangsar branch. Ho Soon Hee, a futures market specialist (age 35) who is the incumbent secretary in Youth Division will be attempting a giant leap to the main body to contest the post of Divisional Chairman. Wong Weng Foo, a well known public accountant will go for the Deputy Chairman position.

For the Youth wing, Loo Chan Bond, a vibrant sales manager will be gunning for Youth Chairman post. James Tan Kok Kiat, an engineer will contest the Youth Deputy Chairman and Chia Teck Wooi, a sales manager will challenge the Youth Secretary post.

Known for their initiatives to push for internal reforms through successful programmes on leadership training and people’s dialogues, the IT savvy and unconventional ‘think and do’ tank said, they are called to stand and issued the debate challenge because this is the time MCA will need brave, thinking voices that resonant with rakyat Malaysia’s aspirations.

“A debate is a healthy and practical way to help the delegates arrive at an informed decision on each candidates’ ability to deliver results to MCA’s objectives,” Ho Soon Hee said.

“As the incumbent Dato’ Dr. Lim Chee Shin has indicated clearly of his retirement during the previous term, we are now offering our best team to rejuvenate the Division,” added Weng Foo, who was a senior committee in the Division.

“I ask myself, ‘When I look back five years from now, what have I done to contribute for MCA to remain relevant? What are the things I’m going to look at and wish I had done?’ That forces us to offer our best people and most importantly, the necessary skillsets to positioning MCA towards that objective,” said Ho Soon Hee.

“As shown in the General Elections, Lembah Pantai as a modern city constituency is ready for leaders who possess affinity to engage intelligently with voters who are information hungry and internet savvy. We believe our track record to attract members and train future leaders can bring a new spirit to MCA Lembah Pantai,“ explained Loo Chan Bond.

“In tandem with the impending leadership change at national level, we believe the division is ready for transformation and be uplifted by suitably talented leaders possessing the necessary values as indicated by the Chinese community’s thoughts and wish for multi-racial engagement,” emphasized James Tan Kok Kiat.

“We believe that until and unless change is effected at divisional level, it will not be able to contribute solidly to MCA’s commitment to voicing and expressing the concerns and problems facing the rakyat,” Chia Teck Wooi added.

The contestants pledge to all branches that fairness, transparency and teamwork in the Lembah Pantai Division will be enhanced. The team further pledge to commence by this November, a plan of action on leadership programmes and people’s dialogues to ensure the MCA members remain in touch with people based politics.

The contestants are confident that MCA Lembah Pantai delegates will exercise their wisdom and vote on their commitment to transform and reform the Division to keep up with the new Malaysia political landscape.

-Ends-

Ong Tee Keat: One of our rare values based politician

We are very happy to report that Malaysia has produced one more values based politician.

Ong Tee Keat of MCA, now Transport Minister has demonstrated the importance of values in the hazardous job of a politician. OTK has been censured before by an UMNO leader for his frank comments. Even the MCA President was scolded as Ong Ka Ting stood up to defend the same values. At the end of the day however, party lines submitted to government Ministrial line of authority (this is another subject matter on government).

The Ongs:

Ong Ka Ting Ong Tee Keat

We are also proud that OTK is one of the very few to declare frankly his stand and moral values on climbing the political ladder. May we add, it reminds us of days of long ago where heroes have clear principles and values that made human history so uplifting and magnanimous.

Consider OTK’s response as a reporter asked him on whether he will be going for the post of deputy president in MCA:

“A television reporter has repeatedly asked me this hypothetical question – assuming there is a vacancy for the post. My answer is that if at all there is a vacancy, any eligible candidate, including me, has the right to contest. I must also say here that I will only consider contesting the post of deputy president on three conditions, meaning that:

1. I have enough support from the ground,

2. the aptitude to deliver in the post, and

3. the ability to bring positive impact to the party.

I contest not because I want the position at all cost.“

Well said.

If only all contestants for any party leadership posts will only adhere to 1, 2 and 3. So far, we have heard nothing on this from people who are now making lot of scolding noises in the aftermath of GE12.