KUALA LUMPUR: MCA today confirmed that its Youth chief Datuk Chong Sin Woon will contest in the upcoming 14th General Election.
Its deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said it was incumbent upon the party to field its central leaders for the polls, which must be held by August 2018.
“If you do not field the national Youth chief to contest in any parliamentary seat, there is something wrong with the party.
“He (Chong) is the icon of the youth and he has, for the past few years, done a lot for the community and country,” Wee told reporters after officiating MCA Youth’s 53rd Annual General Meeting at Wisma MCA here today.
Wee, however, did not reveal which parliamentary seat will be contested by Chong.
Wee described Chong as a winnable candidate who dared to make changes for the betterment of the society.
“For example, Chong worked closely with Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid in ending the ‘heavy bag’ ordeal for pupils.”
Last month, Chong, who is also deputy education minister, directed all primary schools to reduce the number of workbooks used during lessons to curb the “heavy bag phenomenon” in Chinese schools.
Chong had said failure to abide the latest rule could lead to disciplinary action against teachers and headmasters.
“He (Chong) is someone who dares to make changes and speak up for the people.
"He has also accumulated enough political experience to face whatever challenges in GE14,” said Wee, adding that Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan had twice described Chong as a winnable candidate.
Chong, who is also a Dewan Negara Senator, was elected MCA’s Youth chief in 2013 and will end his term next year.
In his officiating speech earlier, Wee said he is confident that all Barisan Nasional component parties will work closely in facing GE14.
“I am confident that MCA Youth, under Chong’s leadership, will be assisted by all the BN component parties,” he said, adding that MCA planned to regain lost ground and retain the seats it won in the last general election.
In the last polls, MCA won seven parliamentary and 11 state seats, compared to 31 parliamentary and 77 state seats in the 11th General Election in 2004.
Today’s AGM was attended by 631 out of MCA Youth’s 1,901 registered central delegates.