He said the party is often tied to negative labels such as being part of the so called “backdoor government”, among others.
“Such is our image, being the subject of ridicule for kopitiam patrons and social media users alike. I believe everyone here has heard similar remarks.
“But we do not have to commit ourselves to such low-level debates because MCA is a party of service — a party that has long served the people since its beginning,” he said in his address at the party’s 72nd anniversary celebrations today.
He said even though Chinese support has dwindled, it did not shake their commitment to continue serving the community and country, adding that it was the party’s vow to defend multiracial values and democracy in Malaysia.
Recalling the grim performance by MCA in the last general election in 2018, Chong said only one out of its 39 candidates for parliamentary seats and two of the 90 for state assemblies won.
“This was certainly the saddest moment in our party’s history. This episode keeps me grounded to the Chinese proverb which says the people’s voice determines whether you float or sink.
“We have no other choice aside from fighting to fulfil the people’s needs.
“Most importantly, being a Chinese-based party does not stop us from fighting for the interests of other races,” he said.
Chong said it was more challenging for the party under the circumstances as it was faced with both the attacks from the opposition and the burden to preserve political stability.
He said they were aware that the current political landscape is filled with uncertainties, adding they had to do the right thing to recover the people’s mandate.
“If we serve the people and do the right thing, they will surely notice and realise that all the slander and insults thrown at MCA do not take away the sweat and tears in service to the people.
“So don’t lose hope, don’t stop working. We saw how Pakatan Harapan collapsed within two years from their own greed and power struggles to a point where the people’s mandate for reform was pushed to the back.”
Chong said MCA will use core values such as freedom, democracy and justice to win back the support of Malaysians. These core values were also that of Malaysia’s founding fathers.
“We will open a new page under the current complicated political climate so that MCA will return to be the choice of Malaysians.”