KUALA LUMPUR: The atmosphere was warm and jovial at a “homecoming” dinner ahead of Wanita MCA’s annual general meeting (AGM) on Friday (Oct 20) evening.
About a thousand delegates came together at Dewan San Choon in Wisma MCA and enjoyed a night of good food and traditional performances.
Wong You Fong, who retained her Wanita MCA chief position in the recently concluded party election, thanked all delegates and members for their continuous support for the wing and party.
“It’s good to see everyone here tonight, enjoying our dinner together as a big family.
“Let us have a good time meeting and catching up with all our sisters before a good AGM tomorrow,” she said in her speech.
Party president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, when addressing the delegates, said the Wanita wing is the most blessed as all its past chiefs are still in the pink of health.
“One of them is in her 90s and still going strong.
“if you want to be healthy and live a long life, you have to become the Wanita chief,” quipped Dr Wee, to the delight of the delegates.
Thanking the Wanita wing for having the party’s back throughout the decades, Dr Wee also reminisced the significant achievements of every former Wanita chief.
He said Tan Sri Chow Poh Kheng, who was the first national Wanita MCA chief, made significant contribution to the enactment of the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976, changing the country’s polygamy practice to monogamy marriage, which began in year 1982 to safeguard the rights of women.
As for the second chairman, Datuk Teng Gaik Kwan, he said she was instrumental in fighting for amendments to many laws unfavourable to women.
He said Teng was the reason behind many young women beginning to take interest in politics by attracting them to join the party’s young women’s bureau, Beliawanis, which was later combined with the Youth wing.”
The third Wanita chairman, Tan Sri Ng Yen Yen, said Dr Wee, was MCA’s first female Cabinet minister.
“She did so well in promoting Malaysian hospitality and tourism to the world.
“As for the fourth chairman, Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, she is known for her perseverance and far-sightedness in leadership, which has guided the party through many challenges,” he said.
The fifth chairman, Datuk Yu Chok Tow, despite having the shortest stint of three years, was the reason behind the union of female and male Youth members under one wing in the party, said Dr Wee.
“Then we have the sixth chairman, Datuk Heng Seai Kie, who held several ministerial posts and has been vocal in many issues relating to women, family and children.
“Now we come to the seventh chairman, You Fong, who has been here for only ten months.
“Let’s give her more time to prove herself, especially with all the past success histories of her predecessors, hopefully this will give her some pressure,” quipped Dr Wee.
The night’s dinner also coincided with the birthday of Dr Wee, who was presented with a cake on stage.
After the cake cutting ceremony, Dr Wee also belted a Jackie Cheung’s popular number, Yi Lu Shang You Ni (There’s You Along The Way) at the request of the crowd.
Accompanying him was his wife Datin Seri Jessica Lim Hai Ean.
