PETALING JAYA, July 24 — MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, who is going for the No 1 post in the party, talks to The Malay Mail on the arduous taks ahead.

Lee Yew Meng: What advantages have you gained by announcing your candidacy early?

Liow Tiong Lai: Firstly, the president has announced that he wouldn’t be contesting. And equally important, after GE13, there must be no uncertainty within the party. We have commenced our transformation programme and I really think it critical that the grassroots leadership must be aware of who they can be working with at the national level. We simply cannot afford to waste any time.

Those are my thoughts. Advantages? I really don’t know.

LYM: Any running mates?

LTL: Under the present environment, having a team is correct. I look forward to making an announcement soon. Meanwhile, all party members who desire to serve with me, are welcome.

LYM: Who, besides you, do you think has presidential quality and ability?

LTL: Frankly, I have not given this any thought as even my candidacy is just a response towards the situation.

LYM: Do you think the party elders will support you?

LTL: I know the party elders will support anyone whose agenda is to fulfil the party’s mission. As such, I am confident they will endorse my candidacy.

LTL: Very well indeed. I have visited all the 13 states (MCA is not in Sarawak) and the response so far is stunning. Members have insisted that the “Ma Hua Dang Qi” (MCA party flag) must fly high again, meaning the party’s dignity must be restored.

We share our thoughts and listen to theirs. We will also be engaging NGOs. Then we listen to our counterparts from abroad to benefit from their experiences. We will then script our proposed transformation blueprint and go back to all the engaged stakeholders before finalising.

LYM: Why do you think there is still a place for the MCA in our political setting?

LTL: The party was founded 64 years ago to look after Chinese guest workers who decided to make Malaya their home. Since then, the party’s role has evolved into one of nation building. The MCA has been diligently safeguarding the community’s comprehensive interests in the context of a plural Malaysian society.

A race-based party needn’t be racialist. Just like a non race-based party cannot exclude racial considerations. We all know that. It is no secret the governments of Penang and Selangor had to work very hard to be politically correct, race wise, in their selections of district, municipal and executive council member representations.

The MCA just need to be brutally honest and have the courage to make the necessary adjustments and corrections. We are acutely aware of the deep sense of frustration over many issues and this has resulted in oft-emotional judgements. We have lost some connection with our stakeholders along the way. I intend to make this connection again.

LYM: Critics have slammed MCA for playing “Little brother” to “Big brother” Umno. Your comments please.

LTL: I believe these critics meant Umno “bullies” and the MCA “allows it’. That is debatable. But as they say, perception is real.

To be fair, both have been largely misunderstood. Umno and the MCA do not really deserve this crass labelling. Public statements by various levels of leadership cannot be equated with the party’s stand.  Nevertheless, we must still seriously address this perception. Perhaps we have ignored “silly remarks” for far too long.

At the same time I can’t think constant bickering is an answer too.

LYM: Do you agree with the notion of a “Chinese tsunami” in GE13?

LTL: It would be more accurately described as an “urban tsunami”. As such, there would be seen a significant Chinese electorate not voting for the BN. The suggestion that the community may have bad intentions to cause “havoc” to our social fabric is downright ludicrous!

I see this as a maturing democracy, in that the electorate are beginning to speak their minds. Politicians must now learn to listen better, or have to change their professions.

LYM: Tell us briefly about your political background and how that has prepared you for the big challenge?

LTL: I joined the MCA in 1981 and upon graduation in 1986, was employed by INSAP (Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research) in the headquarters as a research assistant. Then I became a personal assistant to deputy president Tan Sri Lee Kim Sai, later press secretary to then minister of human resources Tan Sri Lim Ah Lek and later, as his political secretary.

I have been elected and served in branch, division and state leaderships. I have also served in the national youth leadership; as secretary-general and chairman, and subsequently as vice-president and presently deputy president in the main body

I am into the fourth term as the Bentong MP and was a former deputy minister of youth and sports and health minister.

It is obvious that besides my family, the party has been the other part of my adult life. Yes, I am definitely prepared for the big challenge.

LYM: Tell us a little bit about your family.

LTL: My eldest child is 23 years old and she is a final-year law student in Monash University, Melbourne. My sons are 19 years old, doing pre-U and 15 years old in Form Three in Catholic High School.

Wife, Sun Loo, was trained as a chemical engineer. We met as second year undergrads in UKM, organising student programmes and the mutual attraction was quite immediate. Our “dating” is still ongoing despite being married 27 years. She is an ideal homemaker, mother, wife and counsellor. She is also my best friend.

My children are my best mates. I am still with my original place of “work” (MCA) and as committed to its objectives as ever. All my worries disappear when I am with my family. I suppose now everyone knows the secret of why “Liow is always so even tempered”.