KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Heng Seai Kie was yesterday elected as the new Wanita MCA chief, beating Penang Barisan Nasional information chief Tan Cheng Liang in a straight contest for the post which Datuk Yu Chok Tow opted not to defend.
Heng, who was the wing’s vice-chief, garnered 978 votes to win by a majority of 137 votes.
Tan had obtained 841 votes.
A total of 1,838 delegates voted in the elections.
Negeri Sembilan Wanita MCA chief Datuk Lee Pit Chern had won the post of Wanita MCA deputy chief uncontested.
After the results were announced, Heng said she would strive to unite Wanita MCA at all levels in taking up the challenge to make the party relevant and regain the support of the Chinese in the run-up to the next general election.
“I pledge to strengthen Wanita MCA and convince the Chinese voters, especially, and the people, generally, to help the party and the BN to recapture the lost seats and win more seats in the general election,” she said.
In her speech earlier, outgoing Wanita chief Datuk Yu Chok Tow said reform within the MCA is vital to optimise the party’s functions and for better governance, as well as to strengthen its position vis-a-vis other parties.
She said this demanded extra effort from the party members to work towards regaining and restoring the people’s trust in and support for the party.
The reform would re-establish the prestige and position of MCA as the party representing the Chinese community and as a mainstream political party, said Yu in her speech at the Wanita MCA’s 38th general assembly at Wisma MCA here yesterday.
The assembly was opened by MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha.
Yu, who is not defending her post, stressed that if MCA failed to reform this time, the party would be rejected by the people, especially the Chinese community.
“Reform is vital and painful, as it is a formidable task and a daunting challenge. MCA has no other choice but to bite the bullet. We must rise to the challenge and MCA must prevail.
“We absolutely cannot afford to miss this opportunity for change. If we fail to reform, we will not be given another chance by the people, and neither will history. We have at least three years, with five years at the most, to reform the party,” she said. — Bernama