(Kuala Lumpur, 21st) MCA Deputy President Mah Hang Soon pointed out that MCA must intensify its efforts in recruiting young party members, as currently the proportion of members nationwide under the age of 40 is less than 7%, a situation he described as "worrying."
He said that MCA must take immediate measures to strengthen its youth wing, and should find ways to encourage more young people to join in order to reinforce the strength of MCA. He suggested that efforts should be made to double the proportion of young party members to about 15%.
Mah Hang Soon stated this at the Perak MCA Youth Delegates' Conference on Saturday (September 20).
He said that although efforts to recruit new party members and reach out to young groups have already started within MCA, the results have not met expectations, as many young people are troubled by issues such as employment, income and the ever-increasing cost of living.
He admitted that young people today face many issues; the cost of living and work burdens have caused them to place less emphasis on political participation. However, young people must understand that their lives are actually affected by the policies and decisions made by lawmakers.
Mah Hang Soon pointed out that while there is currently no specific target set for recruiting young members, he suggested that MCA should at least double the proportion of young party members to about 15%.
He stressed that increasing the current proportion by more than double is a direction worth striving for, and that we must never give up.
He, who is also the MCA Perak state chairman, said that he believes one of the biggest problems MCA currently faces is the decline in its influence.
"Seats are certainly important, as the number of seats represents our strength, but influence is not necessarily equivalent to the number of seats. Even if we do not win a single seat, with enough grassroots support we can still influence the election outcome."
He continued, conversely, if there is internal division and infighting, it would be self-destructive. MCA has a history of A and B team splits, with everyone having witnessed it.
"Now we must realize that we are one team, not just a few small cliques. Winning elections requires the collective effort of everyone; we cannot expect to succeed by relying on just one person."
He said that MCA must take immediate measures to strengthen its youth wing, and should find ways to encourage more young people to join in order to reinforce the strength of MCA. He suggested that efforts should be made to double the proportion of young party members to about 15%.
Mah Hang Soon stated this at the Perak MCA Youth Delegates' Conference on Saturday (September 20).
He said that although efforts to recruit new party members and reach out to young groups have already started within MCA, the results have not met expectations, as many young people are troubled by issues such as employment, income and the ever-increasing cost of living.
He admitted that young people today face many issues; the cost of living and work burdens have caused them to place less emphasis on political participation. However, young people must understand that their lives are actually affected by the policies and decisions made by lawmakers.
Mah Hang Soon pointed out that while there is currently no specific target set for recruiting young members, he suggested that MCA should at least double the proportion of young party members to about 15%.
He stressed that increasing the current proportion by more than double is a direction worth striving for, and that we must never give up.
He, who is also the MCA Perak state chairman, said that he believes one of the biggest problems MCA currently faces is the decline in its influence.
"Seats are certainly important, as the number of seats represents our strength, but influence is not necessarily equivalent to the number of seats. Even if we do not win a single seat, with enough grassroots support we can still influence the election outcome."
He continued, conversely, if there is internal division and infighting, it would be self-destructive. MCA has a history of A and B team splits, with everyone having witnessed it.
"Now we must realize that we are one team, not just a few small cliques. Winning elections requires the collective effort of everyone; we cannot expect to succeed by relying on just one person."