Commenting on an FMT article in which Umno Supreme Council member Nazri Aziz had said MCA had lost its grip on the Chinese community and that they ( the Chinese) were looking for a stronger leader, Ti noted that the party had to change its approach in engaging the public.
He cited the ineffectiveness of posh or big dinners to engage voters or gauge their support.
“In the past, MCA leaders attended grand dinners to pacify the guilds and association leaders, who had a strong influence over the community and their votes.”
However, Ti said this was no longer the case as the guilds and association leaders were an elitist group confined to a small circle of leaders with little influence over voters.
“Similarly, the big gatherings and dinners used by MCA to show support are no longer effective or reflective of actual support.
“The middle ground, the thinking and educated voters, refuse to attend such ‘pompous wasteful dinners’ and are happier attending smaller gatherings which are more meaningful, interactive and engaging.”
He said by and large, the crowds which attended the big gatherings were turned off by such events that put too much focus on leaders and the organisers.
Ti warned that continuing with the old approach could lead to a loss of votes among the educated voters who have disassociated themselves from the guilds or associations.
On the changing of leadership, Ti said merely changing the old guard would not resolve MCA’s problems immediately.
“On the contrary, too much energy, resources and effort have been spent on changing the guard, resulting in a fractious ineffective leadership.
“Instead of the ever-changing leaders, I am of the opinion that the MCA leadership needs to be strengthened to ensure continuity of actions and strategies.”
Nazri had said Lim Guan Eng was now seen as the leader of the Chinese. For MCA to do better, its leader had to be seen as stronger than Lim or else the party could not bring back the support of the community to the BN, he added.