KUALA LUMPUR: MCA should consider giving a special award to Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh to encourage more Malaysian women to see her as a role model, says MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon.
“It’s not (about) the awards she has won. Rather, it is her courage and hard work in striving to be on equal footing with men and daring to challenge male dominance.
“In her acceptance speech when she lifted the Oscar, she said, ‘Don’t ever let anybody tell you you’re past your prime. Never give up!’
“This is what our Wanita comrades should learn most.
“So, I would like to suggest that our party should present an award to Tan Sri (Yeoh) to encourage more Malaysian women to emulate her,” he said when opening the 48th Wanita MCA annual general meeting here yesterday.
(Yeoh won the Academy Award for Best Actress, becoming the first Asian to win in that category, for her starring role in the 2022 movie Everything Everywhere All At Once.)
Chong also highlighted the story of Katherine Johnson, an African-American mathematician and physicist who faced racial and gender discrimination at the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) during the era of the moon landing.
Despite these challenges, he said Johnson persevered and gained the respect of her colleagues through her exceptional mathematical skills and dedication.
“Johnson emerged as a hero, defying societal barriers and making a significant impact in the field of space exploration.
“Therefore, the persistent pursuit of gender and racial equality is a constant struggle that all women-based organisations must fight for,” he added.
(Johnson and others like her were featured in the 2016 movie Hidden Figures, which was nominated for three Oscars but won none.)
In the current political scenario, Chong urged Wanita MCA to strive for the fair treatment of Chinese Malaysians and women, while promoting gender equality, with the aim of regaining the support of Chinese voters.
He also expressed his hope that under the new leadership, Wanita MCA will continue the fighting spirit of their predecessors.
He added that the brickbats hurled by political parties over religious issues not only destabilised the nation but also tore society apart, victimising non-Muslims.
“Amid the current race among political parties to showcase their conservatism, there must be sufficient checks and balances on those in power. Otherwise, the rights of non-Muslims will be violated,” he said.
While the religious conservatism displayed by certain parties has become a cause for concern, he said greater vigilance is necessary for those who possess the executive and legislative powers and resources.
“If they are not subject to sufficient checks and balances, or if they remain silent like some political parties after taking office, the rights of minority groups will be violated and muted,” said Chong, who added it was precisely at this critical moment that Wanita MCA must remain vigilant on the frontlines of the fight for women’s rights.
“Besides advocating for women’s rights, we must also firmly hold the line against the wave of conservatism, striving to reverse the tide and redirect the country towards a path of diversity, moderation, unity, and integration,” he said.
In her speech, Wanita MCA chief Wong You Fong said she would practise a leadership style that emphasises inclusiveness and valuing talent.
“In our newly appointed central committee, we will bring together talented individuals from various fields.
“Let us unite and collaborate to realise our political ideals,” she said, adding that Wanita MCA’s three main focuses were on developing the political thinking of its members through training in hosting, public speaking, and debating.
“Secondly, we will strengthen policy research on women’s rights, involving our Women’s Legal Advice and Assistance Centre in proactive research and policy discussions.
“Lastly, we will embrace online platforms to engage women and the community.
“As the women’s wing in the party, we must dare to innovate, be bold in our reforms, actively participate in activities and organisational work, and adeptly harness the power of social media to amplify our voice and influence,” she said.
