KUALA LUMPUR: MCA Youth will hold dialogues in six states from this month to understand and try to resolve issues faced by the people before the next general election.

Its chief, Chong Sin Woon (pic), said the first phase of the dialogues would last till November in the Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Malacca, Johor and Pahang.

“Instead of waiting until the general election when we approach the people to ask for their support and only to find out about the issues, we should start now to host dialogues in every constituency, especially those contested by MCA.

“Our experience in the Sungai Besar and the Kuala Kangsar by-elections is that local issues and local politics are the real politics.

“From September to November, we will gather information on issues faced by the people and sort them out beginning December.

“I must admit that not all problems can be solved by MCA alone but that doesn’t stop us from trying to understand the problems of the people,” Chong told reporters.

As a component party of the ruling coalition, Chong said MCA would be more effective in solving the people’s problems.

He advised potential MCA candidates to “reduce their workload” of only attending mega dinners but instead, spend more time with the people.

“To rebuild MCA’s reputation and image, there’s no other way than going back to the roots – the people,” he said.

He urged MCA leaders and members to forgo the believe that the Chinese must support MCA, and to work hard and be sincerely humble to earn back the people’s trust.

On another matter, Chong, who is Deputy Education Minister, reiterated the ministry’s stance that all preschool teachers must have at least a diploma by 2020.

Chong said it was of utmost importance to raise the standards to be comparable with other advanced countries.

“Malaysia is moving forward to become more advanced and under the education blueprint, we set the target to be on par with international standards.

“We’re not trying to give them (preschool operators) a difficult time but we are trying to get this country prepared to be an advanced country,” Chong said.

Last month, Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said all preschool education implementing agencies must start hiring kindergarten teachers with at least a diploma from next year.

The requirement for the academic qualification would be fully enforced by 2020.

-The Star-