In a high-profile manner, MCA Youth chief Wee Ka Siong today announced his decision to contest for the deputy president’s post in the party elections next month.

NONE With today’s announcement, Wee has officially teamed-up with MCA deputy president Liow Tiong Lai, who had announced his candidacy for president’s post in July.

“MCA’s dismal performances in the last two general elections have placed the MCA family in danger, (and) it’s high time to rebuild the family,” Wee told a press conference that was also attended by some 200 central committee members and grassroots leaders.

"Today, I wish to declare my intention to enter the contest for the deputy president's post. This is in line with my vision to bring about a meaningful transformation within the party," he said.

Wee said, his decision would not be deterred by the challenging road ahead in making MCA relevant again to all Malaysians.

Needed: Total review of political ideology

"MCA needs a total review of our political idelogy and objectives, role in the government, party structure and how to fulfil the aspirations of the rakyat, especially that of the younger generation.

"As a leader from the younger generation of Chinese, I am obliged to contribute to and sacrifice for the party, so it can overcome all obstacles and achieve new milestones," he said.

Wee also expressed hope the party elections in December would see a friendly match among the candidates, instead of a battle between factions, as he said the party could not afford any further infighting.

Even so, Wee today admitted that he, himself, is part of Liow's faction, despite previously denying he belonged to any faction.

NONE "I am part of Liow's team, as he is the only one who openly blessed me (after the Youth wing nominated Wee for the post)," he said.

Wee further said he had texted all 2,385 central delegates yesterday to inform them of his decision to contest.

He even contacted MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek this morning, who purportedly wished him "all the best".

Wee also contacted vice-presidents Dr Ng Yen Yen and Donald Lim and secretary-general Kong Cho Ha, to seek their "blessings"and said their responses were similar to Chua's.

During the press conferece, Wee also announced his manifesto, in which one of his agenda is to to set up a deputy president's hotline to enable the grassroots to communicate with him once he becomes deputy president as a means for them to get in touch with those in the central leadership.

Consolidation Wee's top priority, if elected

Meanwhile, Liow appeared at the end of the press conference to personally give Wee his blessing.

Wee also said the top priority for Liow and him if they are elected would be to consolidate those from the other divide.

Their team have enough space to include leaders such as vice-president Gan Ping Sieu and Young Professionals Bureau chief Chua Tee Yong

Asked whether they would appoint those defeated into central committee, Wee said this would be up to the new president, as such appointments are his prerogative.

NONE "It’s the prerogative of the president and I will assist the president.  Liow is a inclusive person, he knows how to do," he said.

To get the factions to close ranks is in Wee's manifesto, in which his battlecry is, 'Mend, consolidate, action: Together we revive MCA'.

In it he places great importance on the party heeding the voice of the rakyat, to convey this to the authorities and to voice out against any injustice.

"When facing the BN government, MCA should be able to rectify the mistakes, and come out with constructive views... we should not back down when defending people's rights.

"(MCA) should not be the 'yes man' to the might of power, and the statement we make should be based on public opinions," he said

Wee is the most high-profile leader to have declared his candidancy so far, even if compared with Liow.

To this, Wee claimed, Liow's manifesto, which will be released on Monday would be "an even bigger spectacle".