Mei Fun: Putting People First
KUALA LUMPUR: Wanita MCA chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun pointed out that party members should look at the new line-up of president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat from the perspectives of the people and party image, instead of seeing it as a form of power struggle.
She said while there is always some discrepancy between the viewpoints of the party and those of the public, the party must still do things based on the views of the people, especially when the party is running into a major difficulty.
She hoped no one would see the new line-up as a way of perpetuating a particular individual's power wrestling.
Party concerns above all
Chew Mei Fun said during an exclusive interview with Sin Chew Daily that any leader must put party concerns before anything else when making public remarks, instead of doing so out of his own will.
She said the duty of deputy president should be to assist the party president, and as long as he plays his role well, there is always the platform for him to perform.
She pointed out that deputy president should play his role and throw his full support behind the party president, like any other central committee members.
"While some may be tasked with a very important duty, he could still mess things up. On the other hand, some may only be offered a minor post, but could still end up a star performer. A pearl will always remain a pearl and nothing can overshadow its shine."
Mei Fun reckoned that the president should have his own reasons for coming up with such a line-up. just like her appointment to head the Perlis state committee.
"No matter where he puts us, all we need is to get the job done."
She pointed out that if party members only know how to narrow down their scopes, seeing the line-up as nothing more than just a battle between two individuals, then the entire incident will be blown up into a full-fledged party infighting, which will cause even more people to despise MCA.
She said she would rather see party members argue because of their different views on national policies than because of the appointments.
Starting from a small state
As Perlis is only a small state, many have seen Mei Fun's appointment as Perlis state liaison committee chairman as a way of marginalising her. On this she said she had never thought of herself being marginalised, as she has been given the opportunity to lead a state despite the fact that she is not currently holding any Cabinet post.
She said she would not mind "being marginalised" but said she would start her learning process from a small state, and would have better opportunities if she performs well.
"I was very happy and simply felt good when president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat made the announcement. I really have to thank him, for this decision has made the Wanita wing feel respected."
She said her appointment is a form of recognition for the Wanita wing, and to her, it is also an excellent opportunity to train herself.
She nevertheless admitted that her influences might not match those currently holding government posts, adding that she had never expected herself to be appointed a state chairman prior to that.
On the claim that a state leader hailing from another state will have to come across certain level of difficulty, Mei Fun said before the elected state chairman system is implemented, the appointment of anyone to lead a state will almost invariably trigger some controversies.
However she said too much of localism is never a good thing for the party's development.
Not demanding a government post
The allocation of MCA's government posts has always been a focal point within and without the party.
Will the Wanita fight for at least a Cabinet post in line with its traditions?
Mei Fun said she would take this easy.
However, she did not deny that Wanita would definitely be at a disadvantage in terms of personnel support and resources if not offered any government post.
She said Wanita needs a definite recognition in the process of the women's struggle, but said this should not be done at the expense of party and national interests.
"I support Ka Ting"
Often seen as a loyal supporter of former president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, Mei Fun said even if she is asked the same question again today, she would still reply, "Yes, I support Ong Ka Ting."
She said she would not mind other people branding her as a loyalist of a particular leader, but said if all that they know about politics is just that shallow and look at politicians from a stereotyped attitude, then that would be a problem of their own self-cultivation.
"I support Ka Ting because the healthy political culture advocated by him has push ahead the much needed reforms for MCA. Although in the end we couldn't make it in the March general elections, his reform agenda is still appreciated by the new president Ong Tee Keat."
She emphasised that she had supported a particular leader because he was a leader worth her support.
She said it was not fair to say that MCA only organised educational and cultural activities in the past and gave very little attention to government policies.
She argued that if MCA had neglected government policies, Chinese Malaysians would not have been able to say proudly that they are enjoying better status than people in many other countries.
She admitted that she had moved up the party ladder a lot faster than most people. While admitting that luck has been on her side, she said it would be unfair to say that she is nothing but lucky.
"I have not stopped working for the party ever since I joined Wanita MCA in 1991. Just as I stepped into the society to work, the company management has changed over the years, and the new boss was first suspicious of me but later appreciated my contributions. I have gone through all this."
Outspoken leaders needed
Mei Fun said after the March general elections, the Chinese community today needs outspoken and insistent leaders like Ong Tee Keat.
She said MCA also needs such a leader to transform the party, and hoped Tee Keat would lead MCA ahead with his leadership and management style.
Yen Yen should stay on as minister
Mei Fun said Wanita MCA hoped that former Wanita chairman Datuk Ng Yen Yen would remain in the Cabinet.
She said Yen Yen as the country's first female Chinese minister is of great significance to the Wanita, and this is also one of the reasons Wanita threw its full support behind Yen Yen's bid for party vice presidency.
She said the Wanita not only hoped to see Yen Yen remain in the Cabinet, it also wanted to see more female Malaysians taking up major roles in politics in the future.
She said the election of Ng Yen Yen as MCA vice president has allowed the Wanita wing to have a stronger voice in the parent body.
Need to change stereotyped image
Mei Fun said the most pressing need for Wanita MCA now is to change its stereotyped image towards an experienced, vibrant and creative new image.
She said the Wanita used to think its responsibility lied only in women and children welfare, but she must now let them know that politics should come first and they must broaden their scope to cover the entire population of Malaysia.
She said Wanita should not organise events merely for the sake of doing so. They must clearly see the objectives and significance in each of the events.
As a matter of fact, Wanita MCA encompasses all female party members from young to old, and because it doesn't have an age limit like MCA Youth, it tends to give people an ageing impression. Therefore she said Wanita must seriously move towards rejuvenating itself.
"Wanita MCA must provide a friendly environment for the young people."
Mei Fun has in an unprecedented move appointed six young women under the age of 35 as the Wanita central committee members. As for the remaining four appointed committee members, priority will also be given to those below 35.
She said young women will be given more chances to speak in Wanita's brainstorming session next month. This will allow Wanita MCA to better understand what they think of it.
"Some veteran leaders in Wanita MCA have been very positive on the appointment of young women to major party posts. They're very happy with this." (By YAN PEISHAN/Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily)
