Unshackle varsity students, say delegates

MCA Youth has vowed not to accept any post in the government if the party's performance in the coming 13th general election is worse that the previous general election.

This resolution, made in support of a decision by party president Dr Chua Soi Lek, was among 17 passed by the movement at its 47th general assembly today.

The wing also passed a resolution calling for the Public Services Department (PSD) to increase the number of Chinese senior officers in all departments to promote the 1Malaysia concept.

The MCA Youth also supported the government's decision to repeal the Internal Security Act and amend the Printing Presses and Publications Act. 

It hopes that the government would also abolish Section 15 of the Universities and University Colleges Act, which prohibits students from any activities that can be construed as expressing support, sympathy or opposition to any political parties.

It also wanted Mandarin and Tamil be made the medium of language for Chinese and Indian students attending vocational training, and also for more Chinese and Tamil national-type schools to be built.

More aid schemes for entrepreneurs and housing loan packages for youths should be introduced, and the procedures to apply for such facilities be simplified.

The MCA Youth also wanted the government to seriously look into the increase in prices of goods, and also to take action against gambling activities.

Wanita wants more women candidates

Meanwhile, at the Wanita MCA AGM, the wing has adopted a resolution calling on the party leadership to nominate more women candidates for the next general election.

This was among the six-point resolution that was passed by the movement at the end of its 36th annual general meeting held at Wisma MCA today.

The movement also rejected the implementation of hudud laws, urging the government to uphold the fundamental rights of its citizens as enshrined in the federal constitution.

Another resolution called on the government to gather extensive public opinion before implementing new policies to ensure that they would benefit the nation.

The delegates were also in favour of according non-citizen spouses, irrespective of gender and nationality, and their children, the right to permanent residency and citizenship.

Other resolutions adopted by Wanita MCA included the need for the government to comprehensively review initiatives on encouraging the return of Malaysian experts currently overseas, with a view to obtaining optimum results.

The MCA wing also wanted the government to ensure a fair and transparent mechanism in the selection and distribution of Public Services Department's local and overseas scholarships.

- Bernama