KUALA LUMPUR: All eyes were on the popular Labubu doll an MCA Youth leader was holding as he made his way to the stage at its annual general meeting (AGM).
Holding up the adorable toy, MCA Youth chief Ling Tian Soon urged all Youth leaders and members to emulate Labubu's cuteness to connect with young Malaysians.
"When I saw my young friends proudly carrying their Labubu toys and participating in the Nine Emperor Gods festival, I was struck by the doll's incredible popularity," said Ling.
"Labubu's success shows us the power of connecting with the next generation on their terms. If we as leaders can channel even a fraction of that energy and enthusiasm, imagine what we can achieve together," Ling said while delivering his speech at the 60th MCA Youth AGM.
Labubu, a furry elf-like character created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, has become a must-have collectable in Southeast Asia.
Although the character was introduced in 2015, it has recently become popular for many reasons, including endorsements from celebrities like Blackpink’s Lisa.
Ling believes that the Labubu craze holds important lessons for youth activists looking to engage their peers.
"We must be willing to immerse ourselves in the world of the youth — to understand their thoughts, their trends, and the issues they care about most.
"Only then can we truly speak their language and champion their causes," he said.
He pointed out that understanding the thoughts and feelings of young people is crucial for leaders to connect and resonate with their audience.
"As youth members, for the party, for the country, and the grand mission of our people, we must be strong and courageous.
"Therefore, I hope all MCA Youth members will embrace the spirit of the 'four dares': dare to speak, dare to hold accountable, dare to suggest, and dare to strive," he said.
Reflecting on the history of MCA, Ling noted that both the era of comfort and the turbulent times have passed.
The present moment is critical. If complacency sets in, the achievements of MCA over the past 75 years could be lost, along with the efforts of many dedicated leaders.
According to Ling, this year, MCA Youth has recruited 700 new members.
Meanwhile, MCA Youth urged the government not to be shy about implementing the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
"We hope the government can restart the consumption tax. Don't be 'shy'. Although many people have criticised the GST harshly in the past, it is still the most effective and fair tax system recognised worldwide.
"It can avoid potential tax overlap issues and also increase government revenue, enabling the government to implement pro-people policies," Ling said.
He mentioned that, according to a report by the Credit Counseling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK), there are 53,000 youths under the age of 30 burdened with a cumulative debt of nearly RM19bil, including personal loans, credit cards, and the increasingly prevalent buy-now-pay-later schemes, which pose a worrying situation.
He said that once the government's revenue increases, it can assist the youth by reducing the cost of living and prices.
He noted that according to the Auditor-General's Report 3/2024 Series 3, the trend of the federal government's debt has been increasing, with the national debt standing at RM1.080 trillion in 2022, increasing by RM92.918bil to RM1.173 trillion in 2023.
"We believe the government needs to explain to the people why the national debt is still increasing, even after various subsidies such as those for diesel, chicken, and electricity prices have been reduced," he added.
