It’s a three-cornered fight for Youth chief’s post

KUALA LUMPUR: The MCA Youth chief position is seeing a three-cornered fight between national organising secretary Ling Tian Soon, Youth secretary-general Daniel Wa Wai How and Klang division Youth member Bernard Chan Kee Siang.

Addressing the lack of interest in politics from the youngsters, Ling said he is aspiring to inject a resurgence of youthful energy into the party to steer it back on track.

“I hope to engage more young people in the party by organising activities that are tailored to their interests and concerns.

“It is important to reinvigorate the wing to bridge the gap between the wing and the young people,” said the Yong Peng assemblyman.

Wa, 35, said one of his goals is to reinvigorate the wing and lead it towards a brighter future.

He said he has helmed various roles in the party, and with this experience and exposure, he will be able to bring about changes.

“I am not an elected representative in the government, I can voice my opinion freely and address the people’s concerns.

“This is a significant asset in my quest to rejuvenate MCA Youth,” he added.Chan, 39, a civil engineer, said he wants to be the “third force” in MCA Youth to bring about changes and attract more members to the wing.

Meanwhile, in the Wanita wing, Wong You Fong is defending her number one post, a role she has been helming since December last year after her predecessor Datuk Heng Seai Kie’s completed her nine-year term.

“I have only taken over the position for a few months and I wish I could continue with the reformation plans set for the wing,” she said.

“MCA’s performance in the general election last year was less satisfactory. If elected, I wish to focus on strengthening the wing and the party,” she added.

Wong is being challenged by Penang Wanita chief Datuk Ooi Siew Kim, who said the central leadership of MCA should comprise representatives from all states.

She noted that most of the candidates for the top posts of the main body, as well as the Youth and Wanita wings, are from Johor and Selangor.

“The leadership should not be confined to leaders from a single state, it is a national organisation, so the top positions should be represented by members from all states.

“If elected, I hope to reform the Wanita wing, empower the women and groom young leaders to success,” she added.