Resounding vote for Wee and Chew

Tuesday October 14, 2008

Early winners: Chew and Wee being chaired by their supporters after winning the Wanita and Youth number one posts uncontested. — ONG SOON HIN / The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong and Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun became the new MCA Youth and Wanita MCA chiefs after they won the positions uncontested.

Incumbents Datuk Liow Tiong Lai and Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen did not seek re-election as they are vying for a vice-president post in the parent body.

Dr Wee and Chew were lifted onto the shoulders of their supporters after party election steering committee chairman Tan Sri Wong See Wah announced they had won the posts uncontested.Dr Wee thanked the Youth members for giving him the confidence and support to lead the wing for the next three years. “It is very rare to see a no-contest for the wing’s top post. I will take my new role with a huge responsibility to serve the party and the people,” he said. Dr Wee promised to work harder to fulfil his commitment, which is to speak up and make changes without fear.

Chew said the movement would emphasise on national issues, including the economy and education, and change the public’s perception that it only focuses on women’s problems.

“I must thank the central delegates for supporting me and I will try my best to deliver what I have promised in my manifesto and work with the party leadership,” she said.

Newly-elected Wanita deputy chief Datuk Yu Chok Tow, who also won uncontested, said she would work with Chew and the new leadership to further develop the movement. “We have always enjoyed a good working relationship and we will continue to work together to unify the movement,” she said.

The four vice-chairman posts in the movement went to Datuk Lee Pit Chern, Tan Ah Eng, Tan Cheng Liang and Datuk Lim Bee Kau. The Youth wing’s deputy chief post will be a contest between Perak Youth chief Dr Mah Hang Soon and Kapar division chief Datuk Soong Kee Chai.
Soong, who had challenged Liow for the Youth chief post in the 2005 party election, said he decided to contest at the last minute to bring reform to the wing. “Most of the people in the wing are ‘yes men’. For me, the wing should not be controlled by people other than the wing’s members,” he said. When asked why he did not go for the chief’s post, Soong, 55, said Dr Wee was capable of leading the wing but he felt he was more capable than Dr Mah. Dr Mah said he respected Soong’s decision as every delegate was eligible to contest. “I believe the delegates have the wisdom to choose the right candidate for the post,” he said.