IPOH: An MCA leader said today that rebuilding the party and regaining the trust and support of the Chinese community rests solely on its own shoulders.
Its deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon reminded party members that MCA political enemies are always present, employing dirty tactics and tricks to tarnish its reputation.
As such, he said, MCA must always remain vigilant and remind voters not to fall prey to the propaganda of their political foes.
"There is a political party which, while in opposition, had leaders who insulted and mocked us over every government policy.
"Yet, when they became the government, they justified the very actions they once criticized and mocked," he said in his speech at the Perak Barisan Nasional (BN) Convention here today.
The event was launched by BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Present were Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, and Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
Dr Mah, who is also Perak MCA chairman, also criticised political parties that use religion and extreme racial rhetoric as weapons, acting as though religion belongs exclusively to them.
"We must be skilled at countering their arguments and clever in opposing their dirty political tactics.
"In my view, there is no need for us to argue or engage in verbal battles with them, nor should we follow their lead.
"Talk is cheap and easy, but the real challenge lies in taking action and delivering results," he said.
He also urged MCA members to strengthen their spirit and resolve, rise, and confront political enemies head-on.
"At the same time, we must engage with youth aged 17 and above by encouraging them to join MCA.
"Provide them opportunities to become the next generation of leaders at the division or branch level.
"In this era of AI, we must also be prepared to adopt AI technology as a new political tool to face the 16th General Election," he added.