MCA president Liow Tiong Lai has urged the Chinese community to give full support to the MCA to allow the party to serve the community better.

Strong support from the Chinese would allow the party to perform more effectively in contributing back to the community in more ways, he said.

"For MCA to have a stronger voice and presence in the federal and state governments, we first need the support of the community.

"The majority of Chinese should discard the attitude where they ‘want the horse to run fast but are unwilling to feed it well’," Liow said at the party's 67th anniversary celebration at Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur today.

Some 2,400 MCA members, including veteran leaders and Chinese associations and guild leaders attended the celebration themed, 'Realise Moderation, Build on Pragmatism’.

Liow also pledged that MCA would continue to support and advance the community in nation-building.

"Despite the challenges that we have faced in recent years, I stand before you today to affirm MCA’s commitment to protect the welfare of the Chinese community.

"We will not abandon, nor will we forsake this cause", he said.

The party president also assured that MCA's core aims would remain unchanged, including in preserving the identity of Chinese vernacular schools, continuing the legacy of pluralism, upholding freedom of religion, and ensuring equal opportunities as well as basic rights as provided for in the federal constitution.

He said, despite the current economic and political situations, as well as, the party's own revival process following major setbacks in the past two general elections, MCA would press on.

"We must prove our worth, not only within the political sphere but also via economic reforms, as well as cultural and educational initiatives.

"It is crucial to remain flexible in our strategy, as long as we never lose sight of our long-term goals," said Liow.

Working for a better tomorrow

He added that as a member of the ruling party, MCA did not want to see the Chinese being marginalised or lost at the crossroads.

"We must band together to face this current political landscape with unwavering conviction. We will continue to actively drive initiatives with an eye towards developing our nation, and to execute beneficial programmes that will contribute to the welfare of the rakyat."

n another note, Liow, who is also transport minister, said the party would continue to foster closer ties with Chinese associations and guilds in a bid to strengthen the community's unity.

"MCA and Chinese associations will become stronger together to form a force to champion moderation, and ensure that the nation continues to uphold pluralism and preserve racial unity, national stability and development for a better tomorrow," he said.

He added that the partnership would also enable both parties to work together in tapping into the vast business opportunities offered by the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and the One Belt One Road economic initiative spearheaded by China.

After the commemorative celebration, Liow held a closed-door briefing with central delegates on the proposed direct electoral voting system.

Speaking to reporters later, he said the proposal was well received by the delegates, adding that he would go on a nationwide tour in the next two months to explain to grassroots leaders on the new mechanism.

The new mechanism when implemented will allow some 32,000 delegates from the division level to vote directly for the party president to the central committee members, compared to the current system where only 2,365 central delegates are allowed to vote.

- Bernama