New direction: Dr Wee with former MCA president Tan Sri Tan Koon Swan during the opening of the AGM of Koperasi Serbaguna Malaysia at Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
AYER HITAM: Having received a steady stream of applications from young people since the last general election, MCA is setting out to further attract younger members, says party president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
He added that this group, especially school-leavers, were exposed to all kinds of information either through social media, friends or informal channels.
“This is why it is important for political parties to reach out to them and understand their needs and problems.
“They are not bound to any political understanding and if we do not get close to them, it will be a missed opportunity, which would influence the voting pattern for the next general election,” he added.
Dr Wee said this after meeting with new MCA members who have completed their training course held at his parliamentary service centre in Yong Peng here yesterday.
He added that since the last general election, MCA has received a steady stream of applications from the country’s youth to become party members.
Dr Wee, who is also the Ayer Hitam MP, said getting new quality members is an encouraging and positive sign for the party.
“They see it as a responsibility as they joined the party not because of position but because of their interest in politics as well as wanting to contribute to the people.
“We welcome anyone who wants to give the best service to the people, which is much more important,” he added.
Dr Wee also congratulated Johor MCA for organising the course for new members as that showed they understood the party’s philosophy and struggles.
He added that by having this course, the party is able to unearth talented new members and train them further to prepare for future challenges.
“The training provided exposure to the new members on MCA’s philosophy and struggles,” he said, adding that the training templates would soon be used in other states as well.
