马华妇女组全国主席暨妇女家庭及社会发展部副部长拿汀巴杜卡周美芬讲词
2009年1月9日于马华中央党部
热烈欢迎并感谢大家抽空出席今早这项特别为了推介一本记录马华妇女组在新届领导层于2008年10月17日接棒至2009年12月期间，结合全体妇女组姐妹，和在许多华裔及非华裔妇女或功能性非政府组织的协助下所曾经、正在或持续展开的重要计划与活动的专刊《回应大时代》。
这本专刊记载了我们曾经共同走过的道路，记录了我们一起做过的努力、一起缔造的一些成果和贡献，我们相信在这过去的一年里我们共同奠定的基础上，我们和各非政府组织将能开拓更密切与宽广的合作机会，所以，与其说今天这项推介礼的重点是向大家报告我们过去的工作成绩，不如说这是我们马华妇女组再次的、诚挚的感谢今天出席和没有出席的所有团体与个人在过去所给予的支持与协助，同时再次的、诚挚的向大家伸出我们的双手，希望在未来，我们持续通过交流与合作为我们马来西亚这片土地上的人民，妇女的福利与前途扮演观念领航、理念倡导、政策监督及以实际行动落实理念与服务的角色。
诚如我在这本书中所说，为这本书取名为《回应大时代》，主要的原因是因为在过去的一年里，我们面对了来自党内外数之不尽的挑战，308后的士气低落，1018党选后延烧至今的纷纷扰扰，让我们在致力于转型的过程中屡遭延宕与挫折，但作为一个积极的政治或社会工作者或承担人民福祉的政党，我们必须拥有在任何时候都能拨开云雾，奋勇前进，以无比毅力与勇气，以适当的态度与理念回应大时代的担当和作为。
时代不同了，人民对于政党的要求也不同了！对于女性从政者的期许更大了！308大选的成绩清楚的告诉了我们，人民要的不是小利小惠，人们厌恶的是滥权、贪污！人民要的是民主、透明、开放与公平！我们输掉了很多的选区不是因为我们没有服务，不是因为我们没有表现，而是因为我们的服务与表现改变不了滥权、贪腐的大局势，我们说服不了人民我们拥有改变大势的能力和我们有纠正错误的诚意! 因此,今天如果我们依旧采取过往那种只求表面太平，管他内里腐烂的态度、如果我们连自己党内的民主都无法捍卫而选择默默承受与委屈求全的话，不但人类争取数百年的民主毁于一旦，同时我们在人民面前就再也抬不起头来了！我们如何说服人民我们奉行民主，我们透明、开放和公平？
在过去的一年里，在中委会成员和许多基层领袖与姐妹的协助下，我们坚持在风雨中奋勇前进，我们在短短的一年里把我们为三年所规划的“7大目标，5大计划”都展开了，有者卓有成效、有者成果初见，有者蓄势待发、有者还在起步！
卓有成效者如全国31间“妇女儿童援助辅导室”的成立；
成果初见者如政治策略局向各政府单位所提呈的各项备忘录与在各媒体所发表的政论与意见；
蓄势待发者如妇女企业发展中心的成立；
还在起步者则如精英团队和女青年的广招与培训工作！
各位，这个国家，这个社会，这个党是属于大家的，没有任何一个性别或个人可以据为己有，妇女组的成立是为了提供平台让女性走出传统的束缚，突破客观环境所造成的瓶颈，不是为了限制我们活动的范围与权力，因此，我们除了关切妇女课题，我们也应该更关切政经文教。让所有蓝天下关系全民的所有课题都有我们的观点、有我们的意见、有我们的努力！当然也有我们说话与领导的权力！
各位，无论过程如何艰辛，我们无怨无悔！因为站在这个大时代的关口，在大是大非之前，我们必须摆脱过往妇女那种不问为何，只求默默跟随的问政态度，我们必须在考量了是非黑白和党的前途后站出来，以清楚响亮的声音告诉姐妹们：“我们的方向在哪里？”， “我们的未来在哪里？”。
回应大时代！我们必须拥有比以往更坚韧的毅力和决心！
回应大时代！我们必须摆脱委曲求全，含蓄内敛的从政态度！
回应大时代！我们必须目标明确，大是大非不妥协！
回应大时代！我们无惧风雨，奋勇前进！
最后，我要感谢大家，因为大家的共同努力我们得以出版这本内容丰富的专刊。犹如拼图游戏中的每一片板块般，缺少了任何一片都无法完美。我要借此机会非常诚挚的感谢所有全情投入甚至在后期多夜通宵达旦参与本书制作的编辑组，包括主编蔡凤玲同志和她的编辑组员叶立怡，李淑芳，刘美霞，黄爱玲，李慧玲，林美芳和秘书处的同事及梁湘棱同志。还有设计与排版公司ADSPEAK有限公司。
各位，让我们继续携手共进，把我们所有的各项计划，无论是卓有成效者、成果初见者、蓄势待发者或还在起步者继续的加强与发扬，建立女性领导威信，树立女性建国楷模！谢谢大家。祝大家 新年快乐，进步圆满！
Speech by Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun for
Launching of “Responding to the Call of Times”
9 January 2010 (Saturday)
Ground Floor, Wisma MCA
A very Good morning ladies and gentlemen.
A very warm welcome to all of you and would like to thank you for taking time off your precious weekend for today’s launch. This special edition of “Responding to the Call of Times” documents journey of Wanita MCA since the new leadership took over on 17 October 2008 up until Dec 2009. It also features our collaborative efforts with women and sisters at various levels - from partnership with Chinese-based organisations to cooperation with NGOs.
This publication chronicles our joint efforts, our journey in advancing shared causes and achievements thus far. We humbly believe that in the past one year, we have built a good foundation with our partner organisations. We would continue to foster a close working relationship as together we could achieve more in our shared goals and beliefs. As such, in this launching ceremony, the emphasis is not merely on Wanita MCA’s efforts- in terms of what we have done and achieved but rather this booklet is a tribute to all of you, who have walked with us and will continue to walk with us. Therefore, we would like to sincerely thank all organisations and individuals- some of you are present today while some who could not make it today, for your invaluable contribution and support rendered to us. It is our sincere hope that we would be able to continue working together through interaction and cooperation in future in extending our hands to the people at large and particularly to women in advancing their rights and interest. Guided by our core missions and vision, we hope to play a role in steering the nation through advocating for causes which we believe in, monitoring of laws and policies, and realising mission and vision set forth through action and services.
The theme of this booklet “Responding to the Call of Times” was conceptualized primarily based on endless challenges encountered from both within and outside the party in the past year. Morale has been dented following defeat in the March 2008 general election. Further, successive squabbles in the wake of the party election held on 18 October 2008 have caused delays and setbacks to our efforts in the process of transformation. But assertive political party and social actors which act in the interest of the people, must at all times have the ability to drive away clouds and mist, forge ahead with determination, perseverance and courage. Further, we must have appropriate attitude grounded with our vision in responding to the call of times.
Time has changed. The people now have different expectations from political parties. The March 2008 general election results evidently showed us that what the people want is not just lip service or minor benefits. People are fed up and jaded by abuse of power and corruption. They want democracy, transparency, openness and justice. The reason we were defeated in many electoral districts was neither because we did not serve our electorate nor because we did not perform well. Rather it was the service provided by us which has failed to prove to the peoples that we have the ability to change the overall trend of abuse of power and corruption. We failed to convince the people of our ability and sincerity in rectifying errors. Consequently, if we were to continue with past approaches of being contented with superficial harmony while turning a blind eye to the rot beneath such harmony; if we are unable to safeguard democracy even within our own party but choose to endure and compromise in silence; not only will democracy which mankind has been fighting for centuries vanish overnight, thus we will never be able to face the people with dignity and pride! Thus, how do we convince the people that we uphold democracy, transparency, openness and justice??
In the past one year, we persisted in marching forward steadfastly together, hand in hand with Wanita MCA Central Committee members, grassroots leaders and members amid various challenges and turbulences. Within a short span of one year, we have successfully implemented the Wanita MCA’s 5 Plans based on the 7 Objectives, which was strategically planned for a term of three years. We have seen remarkable records of achievements in the implementation of some plans while one plan with preliminary results; another in the preparation process ready to be implemented and finally two plans at the initial stages of implementation.
One notable achievement is the setting up of 31 Women and Children Aid Units nationwide. Initiative in line with the objectives and plans which is showing preliminary results is marked by the Political Strategy Bureau with continuous efforts such as presenting memoranda to relevant government agencies and expressing political views and opinions through the media. While the Women Entrepreneur Development Centre (WEDC) falls in the ready-to-be launched preparatory process, recruitment and training initiatives for the Elite Teams and Beliawanis are under way.
Ladies and gentleman, this nation, society and the party belongs to everyone. Not any individual or sex could claim ownership. The institution of a Women’s chapter or Wing in any association or party primarily aims to provide a platform for women. Such gender-specific structures are not intended in any way to restrict us or limit us within those walls rather they aim to provide support and enabling environment for women to step out of boundaries defined by traditional gender stereotypes and also to breakthrough glass-ceilings as a result of patriarchal conventions. In addition to placing emphasis on women’s interests and issues, we must also be concerned with issues in relation to the economy, politics, culture and education. Our stand; our views and recommendations; our efforts; our voice and will to lead will be visible in any issues under the sun which is related to the people.
Ladies and gentlemen, we may have encountered bumps along the way, some hardships in the process, but we have no regrets. Because when we find ourselves at the door-step of a great era with waves of change and at the cross-roads of right or wrong, we need to step out of the passive and submissive mindset and attitude of merely following and accepting without questioning. In view of right or wrong and taking into consideration the future of the party, we must stand forward before our sisters to inform them with a clear and resounding voice as to “What is our direction” and “Where our future lies”.
Responding to the call of times, we must be more determined and persevering than ever.
Responding to the call of times, we must discard our reserved attitude and inward looking approach.
Responding to the call of times, we must be clear with our objectives and never unwaveringly compromise when it comes to key issues and matters of principle!
Responding to the call of times, we are undaunted by any challenges and
we shall resolutely march forward！
Ladies and gentlemen, let us continue to work together to strengthen and materialise our respective action plans in their various stages- whether completed or still in the process of implementation or at the initial stages of implementation, as our concerted effort to develop a credible and reputable female leadership and to cast as a model of women’s participation in nation-building.
Last but not least, I would like to thank everyone again as this publication is a culmination of efforts from all of us. Just like the jigsaw puzzle where it would not be complete without any piece, this publication is no exception. It would not have been possible without the tireless efforts (which include late nights) of the editorial team. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the Editor-in-Chief Ms Chua Fong Ling and her team members namely Eunice Yap Lay Keat, Lee Shook Fong, Connie Liew Mei Shiau, Ng Ooi Ling, Joulyn Lee Hooi Ling and Ivy Lim Mei Fong. Special thanks also to the Secretariat of Wanita MCA and Roselin Leong. And not to forget the production Company Adspeak Sdn Bhd.
Thank you. May I wish everyone a very happy and meaningful New Year.
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