Direct election of the MCA president by party members - that is one of the proposals by presidential candidate Datuk Ong Tee Keat to reform the party.
In his manifesto with the theme “Agenda For Change”, Ong is proposing to allow members to vote directly for the party president, saying that it is crucial to enhance democracy of the party.
No Lone Ranger: Ong (fifth from left) with MCA leaders and supporters after launching his manifesto at Wisma MCA yesterday.“By doing so, the party president will not only be more representative of the members’ aspirations, it will also be in keeping with participative democracy,” he said.
Currently, the party president is elected by 2,188 central delegates who, in turn, are elected at division level by party members.
Ong, who is an MCA vice-president, will be up against former vice-president Datuk Chua Jui Meng, who is contesting for the top post for the second time.
In the move to rebrand and reinvent the party, Ong also proposed that MCA state chairmen be elected by the state delegates to replace the existing system of appointment by the president.
He also proposed the selection of public office-holders at all levels of the Government, as well as candidates for general election, to be institutionalised.
“This will ensure that candidates are selected based on merit,’’ he said.
Among others, Ong also proposed to move forward with the Chinese community — to be prepared to voice the concerns of the people boldly and proactively, and initiate a new political paradigm so that inter-component party relations be premised on the basic foundations of equal partnership and mutual respect.
Also present at the launch of his manifesto at Wisma MCA yesterday were Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan, Datuk Wong Mook Leong, Datuk Kong Cho Ha, Datuk Chor Chee Heung, Datuk Liow Tiong Lai, Dr Wee Ka Siong, Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, Dr Hou Kok Chung, Datuk Yap Pian Hon, Datuk Loke Yuen Yow, Datuk Dr Yau Chai Thiam and about 300 MCA members. The launch was also broadcast live on his blog, www.ongteekeat.net.
Asked whether Ong is still a Lone Ranger, an image he has projected for a long time, Ong said: “With so many supporters, do you think I am still a Lone Ranger?’’
During his press conference, Ong said he respected Chua as a party veteran, who is also more senior than him.
On the New Economic Policy, Ong said it has since been replaced by the National Development Policy and he regarded it as a non-issue now.
“Poverty eradication is also incorporated into government policies,’’ he said.
On Umno’s transition plan involving its party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Ong said he would respect the decision of the party.
“It will bring a certain impact, for sure,’’ he said.
