MCA Manifesto for the 14^th General Election

10 Promises, 10 Initiatives

Preamble

We believe that Malaysia is exceptional because of the historic role the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) undertook in fighting for the independence of the then Malaya, now Malaysia. Our founding fathers held the hope, aspiration and resolve to establish a great nation where all races would live and work harmoniously together. MCA reaffirms our commitment to Malaysia and will uphold our country as a multi-cultural, multi-religious, moderate and harmonious society.  

We are a nation that has earned not only the respect but also the admiration of the international community over the years. Through the principle of power sharing between all ethnic groups and a democratic Government, we have ensured that our country continues to progress in peace, stability and prosperity.

Over the past decades, Malaysia has been marred by increasing social and religious tension where irresponsible politics had gradually fractured the harmony of our multi-cultural society which we used to enjoy. MCA has been wrongly perceived as not having played an effective role in the BN Government. Hence, in the last two general elections, MCA suffered severe setbacks and endured rejection from voters - the very people whom our party was founded to serve and represent. Voters want political parties to be able to not only deliver on our promises, but to act as a check and balance within the administration.

In 2014, MCA embarked on a comprehensive party transformation themed “Stronger Together”; Casting aside differences and working together to fulfil the promises to the rakyat which includes our traditional base of the Malaysian Chinese community, we pooled our resources and emerged fortified. With entrenched unity within the party, MCA today, is the catalyst to lead the Chinese community, to work together with other races to achieve “Bersama BN, Hebatkan Negaraku.”

We therefore, urge all Malaysians to be cognisant of the reality that Malaysia is a multi-ethnic nation. Only by working together, may we progress prosperously as a nation. No country can function without peace and stability.

In this coming general election, Barisan Nasional – the coalition which represents the true Malaysian aspiration for progress – will strive to ensure peace and harmony be the mainstay of this country, to uphold the Federal Constitution and the Rukun Negara.

This means MCA must regain the rakyat’s trust and mandate, so that we will have a stronger footing in mainstream politics. We must have a strong representation in the Government to wield a stronger influence from within.

Stronger Mandate, Louder Voice, Brighter Future

We call upon all Malaysians, especially those imbued with patriotism and moderation to come forward and unite as one. Every time we sing “NegaraKu”, we reaffirm our love for this great nation. We humbly call for your support so that MCA can deliver on our 10 Promises + 10 Initiatives.

MCA’s 10 Promises to the Rakyat of Malaysia

We pledge:

1.    Safeguard Moderation

        We commit to preserve moderation in the Government, strive to defend our core national institutions and uphold the Federal Constitution and the Rukun Negara.

2.    Ensure Checks and Balances

        To boldly represent the Constitutional rights and interests of the Malaysian Chinese and other communities within the context of our Malaysian society, and to ensure checks and balances within our multi-racial Government.

3.    Youth and Women Empowerment

        We pledge to empower women and youth with new business, job and training opportunities, develop entrepreneurship skills in line with TN50, whilst working to appoint youth and women into key decision-making positions in all levels of the local, state, federal Governments and the party, and entrust youth and women leadership in the political agenda.

In line with TN50, MCA will create a platform for youth leadership development and skills training besides organising activities and projects for youths to empower and align them with mainstream government plans and policies, whilst reskilling youths for the digital revolution.

4.    Enhance the Quality of Chinese Education

        We are committed towards ensuring the UEC is recognised, a systematic approach in the construction of new SJKCs and their allocations. We are also committed towards developing a Chinese Education Blueprint to modernise Chinese schools, including enhancing the mastery of Bahasa Malaysia and the English Language.

5.    Setting Forth Education in the World Stage

        We undertake to modernise and globalise education, R&D and its commercialisation through our Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), TAR University College and VTAR Institute so that young Malaysians, our future leaders, can fulfil their potential through top quality education regardless of ethnicity or family background.

6.    Harnessing Belt and Road Initiative

        We are committed to global and regional connectivity especially with Malaysia’s strong ties with China and the ASEAN Economic Community. We will leverage on the China connectivity by opening up businesses, trading and investment opportunities in China and with Chinese entrepreneurs.

7.    Digital Economy and Innovation

        MCA is committed to transform traditional businesses, especially the small and medium enterprises including cottage industries and home-bound enterprises, to ride on the wave of e-commerce, as part of MCA’s effort to improve the incomes of the low and medium-income group.

It is also our aim to steer the Chinese community to adapt to changes, innovations and trends stemming from the digital economy more efficiently and productively, whilst harnessing a larger share of opportunities arising therein.

8.    Quantum Leap in Business and Finance

        We undertake to establish the KOJADI Co-operative Bank and to enhance the functions of the Secretariat for the Advancement of Malaysia Entrepreneurs (SAME) in order to widen the financial support for SMEs and entrepreneurs to grow domestically and to expand overseas.

9.    Neo-Urbanised Townships

        We will transform New Villages into neo-urbanised centres that promote e-commerce, modern agriculture, and eco/cultural tourism.   

10.  Accessible Healthcare

        We will ensure better access to healthcare at affordable fees. We seek to establish UTAR Hospital to become a premier healthcare institution that will combine Western and complementary medicine such as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda.

10 Initiatives for the Rakyat of Malaysia

1.  Central Monitoring Unit

      Establish a Central Monitoring Unit or Bureau to monitor fair, just and effective implementation of Government Policies, Plans and Programmes which will comprise academics, professionals, entrepreneurs, Party and NGOs leaders, with the Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research (INSAP) as the Secretariat.

2.   Global and Regional Connectivity

      We will continue to use MBRACE (MCA Belt and Road Centre) to deepen and strengthen relations with institutions and entrepreneurs in China to benefit Malaysian SMEs, thereby making Malaysia the primary gateway to China’s Belt and Road Initiative within the ASEAN region.

3.   Establishing a Digital Economy and Innovation Council

        To encourage traditional businesses, especially the SMEs including cottage industries and home-bound enterprises to embrace innovations arising from e-commerce and the digital revolution, MCA aims to establish a Digital Economy and Innovation Council for industry stakeholders, trade associations, chambers of commerce, academics, relevant NGOs, professional bodies to discuss current issues, ideas, feedback, for the attention of the MCA leadership to pursue with the Government in the formulation of policies, legislations and directions besides forming global business linkages.

4.   World-class Tertiary Education

      Promote the continued growth of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) as a leading research-driven private university in collaboration with the private sector, by the people for the people that is widely recognised in Malaysia and Asia.  MCA will promote cross-border internships for its students so that early formations of networking will lead to better career opportunities. UTAR will set up its teaching hospital in Kampar offering quality and affordable medical care besides enhancing its capacity for post-graduate studies.  

5.   Developing the Next Generation

      Transform Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC) into a full-fledged technical University to:

      -        create more opportunities in relevant technology and vocational education to produce          internationally-recognised job-ready and highly-skilled graduates

      -        provide Entrepreneurship Development Programmes and cross-border internships for greater           exposure to our young talents to venture beyond the borders of Malaysia

-        restructure the current Institute of Childhood Education Studies and Community Education  (CECE) into a full faculty within TAR UC to train qualified teachers for early childhood                education

-        continue to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education to be the pillar of nation building

6.   Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET)

      Expand VTAR Institute into a well-equipped TVET development and training institution with its own campus to provide a wide spectrum of training whilst focusing on helping to upskill our young talents so that they will remain competitive in the new digital age.

7.   Wealth Generation for SMEs and Lower & Middle Income Groups 

      To establish the KOJADI Cooperative Bank with branches in every state to provide financing for young entrepreneurs and SMEs. For wealth creation, we pledge to introduce an investment scheme ala Amanah Saham Nasional for the Malaysian Chinese to enhance the income of the Chinese community, in particular, the lower and middle-income groups.

8.   Neo-urbanised Townships

Establish 10 neo-urbanised townships ala the Bentong and Yong Peng model to stimulate and modernise the economies of New Villages and generate jobs for youths.

- Digitalise New Villages by giving a new lease of life and promoting digital services and e-commerce.
- Collaborate with China via the Belt and Road Initiative to promote products and tourism of New Villages.

9.   Protecting the Welfare of Women, Children and the Elderly

MCA will continue to provide legal assistance, provide training for women to be self-reliant and supplement their income to the family and champion the progress of women in Malaysia. Meanwhile, we will strive for stateless Malaysian adults and children of a Malaysian parent to be granted citizenship besides ensuring enforcement of legislations against paedophiles.

10.         Continued Outreach Services for the Community

      Continue to build on our long and committed service to the community through:

      -        Public Services and Complaints Dept (Dato’ Seri Michael Chong)

      -        Chang Ming Thien Foundation

      -        Huaren Education Foundation

      -        1MCA Medical Foundation

      -        Crisis Relief Squad of MCA

      -        Langkawi Education Excellence Project

-        Legal Advisory and Women’s Aid Centre (LAWA)

Conclusion

To enable MCA to deliver on these 10 Promises + 10 Initiatives, MCA needs a stronger mandate from the rakyat.

MCA calls on the Malaysian Chinese community to not forsake effective, courageous and principled representation in the Government so that Malaysia will continue to enjoy a multi-racial and not a mono-racial Government.

The future is in your hands.

Make the right choice for your and your family's future in a multi-cultural and multi-racial country.

MCA will serve the rakyat with dedicated and committed service, upholding the principles of accountability and good governance.

Together we build a better Malaysia.

Bersama BN, Hebatkan Negaraku

MCA will become the key driver of the various initiatives targeting the masses.  

The main pillar is Youth Empowerment.  We are committed towards transforming MCA-established education institutions into a Global Education Hub, the second pillar. As MCA’s roots still rest with the lower income groups, we must also continue to look after the well-being of people requiring assistance. This is the third pillar which is Social Economic Well-Being.

In order for this agenda to succeed, a multi-racial approach must be adopted to tackle various issues that confront the community.  The Party will continue to reach out to understand their needs through active stakeholder engagements.

MCA will continue to be part of the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) government and will remain close to the rakyat. The Party will continue to uphold the Federal Constitution as the supreme law of Malaysia and respect the rights and interests of all ethnic groups, individuals, their culture and religion. We will resist any attempt to create unease or disrupt national harmony or policies that run against the provisions of the Federal Constitution.

The 3 Pillars of the MCA GE14 Manifesto

In line with the BN and MCA vision for the nation, Youth Empowerment will the key pillar of MCA’s initiatives for the next 5 years to be followed closely by Education and Social Economic Well-being of the nation.

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