KUALA LUMPUR: Wanita MCA deputy chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun confirmed that she would run for Wanita MCA chairman post in the October party elections.

She said, it is now time to run for the top Wanita post, as there is vacancy for this post.

However, she insisted that she would do her best in defending her Selangor state Wanita chairman post on 6 September, as well as running for the Wanita chairman post on 17 October, pledging that if she were elected, she would put in her best effort to carry out her duties.

When interviewed by Sin Chew Daily, Chew Mei Fun not only talked about her intentions in the coming party elections, but also expressed her views on the roles of Wanita MCA, direct election of party president, as well as issues related to state chairman elections.

She said she would first focus on the Selangor Wanita election, and hoped that with the support of party members, she would be re-elected as the state Wanita chairman.

Wanita MCA Chairman Datuk Ng Yen Yen has earlier expressed her intention to run for higher post in the central committee, not ruling out the possibility of running for the post of vice president.

On whether she would seek some running mates, Chew said she needed an election team with a common aspiration in order to achieve their visions and ideals.

"We need visions and ideals when running for any post in the party, and the visions will not be achieved by an individual's effort alone. We need a team to accomplish those visions."

She said the team would include a deputy as well as exco candidates, but when she presents the team to the delegates, she said she wouldn't expect them to "take all or none."

She felt that the delegates were not electing only individuals, but a leader who would lead her team towards a certain direction, giving the party a new hope, image, as well as future.

She also disagreed that the leader would have the final say in everything. She felt that she should allow people with different characters and talents to work together and complement one another.

Support for Ka Ting not a "burden"

Chew Mei Fun said she threw her full support behind Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting's leadership, and did not think that her support for the latter would become an "election burden" to her.

"We follow a leader because we have seen what he has done for the party. I support Ka Ting not because he is the president, but because he has brought so many changes and reforms to the party, but luck was not on his side."

She said a politician must have a very distinct image, stand and prudence.

"If you think what I have insisted and followed are wrong, and therefore you don't vote for me. But you support me if what I have done or practised have brought benefits to the party, then why should you see who and who are in a team? Is it because you have voted for a person because of another leader?"

She agreed that in politics or in career life, we may often come across people who would help us or try to destroy us.

"I may be suppressed by someone today, or be highly appreciated, but is that my fault?"

Wanita should go into all social aspects

Chew said Wanita MCA should try to deliver itself from the stereotyped impression that they only talk about social welfare. Wanita MCA should boldly and clearly express its stand on a number of social, economic, cultural and educational issues.

"On issues about the women, we must still be more sensitive and understanding than the men. However, we also must not treat other major issues as exclusive ones for the men only. Since politics is about managing issues related to the general public, we shouldn't be contented with managing only issues related to women."

She said Wanita MCA had in the past organised forums and talks, and had offered proposals to amend the defective parts of the divorce act, premarital counselling and assistance to single mothers, among many others. However, these activities have been overshadowed by the "softer" news or events such as the Cupid Space Project, hence a stereotyped impression that Wanita MCA focuses only on social welfare activities.

"Well, you can say that we have organised some very successful and popular activities, but that does not mean we do not go into other more serious major issues."

She added, Wanita MCA would go on its activities to step up interaction with grassroots members, citing the example that even DAP's female leaders have organised dance practice classes in order to get closer to the people.

Nevertheless, while caring about the society, perhaps Wanita should also strengthen its role and stand on some major issues about the country.

She admitted that MCA had done a mistake in the past, by thinking that some of the issues or incidents were "sensitive" and should therefore be dealt with on a low key.

"For example the recent religious conversion issue has been seen as a highly sensitive issue. As a matter of fact, whether an issue is sensitive or not depends on the attitude with which we look at or discuss this issue. If it is a rational analysis to get to the root of the problem instead of confrontational or emotional forum, then why shouldn't it be allowed?"

She emphasised that we should talk about the truth in a bid to resolve an issue while rejecting solutions that offer only superficial harmony.

She felt that Wanita could play its grassroots, intellectual and pioneering roles on four different levels.

"The branch level Wanita can promote grassroots activities; while the divisional level emphasises its role in promoting intellectual exchanges; state level expresses the views and stands of the divisions on a number of issues; and the national level prepares a set of leadership directions and policy systems."

Chew said no one had restricted the right of Wanita leaders to talk about national issues. However, traditionally Wanita MCA and MCA Youth have been operating on a complementary basis, with Youth Wing focusing on educational issues and Wanita on social welfare.

"In view of the current political developments in the country, Wanita MCA should play a bigger role..." (/Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily)