MCA is planning to set up a school for its members to disseminate its ideology and provide political training.

To realise this aim, newly appointed secretary-general Ong Ka Chuan and organising secretary Hon Choon Kim have gone to China.

There, they will be joined by MCA president Ong Ka Ting, who is currently on a working visit to the republic, to visit the schools run by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

In a Nanyang Siang Pau report yesterday, Ka Chuan said their study will cover the CCP schools and the national institute of public administration (Intan).

He said the purpose of setting up a MCA party school is to provide training on current affairs as well as political and social elements.

He added that it will also help members better understand the second largest Barisan Nasional component party.

"At the initial phase, the party school could be a virtual concept but it will be developed to become a concrete school later," he said.

According to Ka Chuan, MCA's short-term plan is to use the resources in the party-owned Tunku Abdul Rahman College and Tunku Abdul Rahman University to run the school.

Lifelong learning campaign

He explained that the school can share lecturing venues and have the lecturers at the two varsities to train the members in a 'professional way'.

However, he said the party has yet to outline a complete plan.

The idea for the school was mooted by the party president, who is Ka Chuan's brother, in relation to the MCA lifelong learning campaign.

Contacted later, MCA vice-president Dr Fong Chan Onn welcomed the move as it will attract the younger generation to join the party.

Responding to a question, he said the party will only embrace the good points about the CCP-run schools and not their communist concept.

Umno information chief Muhammad Muhammad Taib said his party has no plans to follow in its counterpart's footsteps.

"They have their own way and Umno has its own way. We offer different kinds of courses and seminars to impart knowledge about the party to our members," he added when contacted.

On MCA seeking inspiration from the Communist party, he replied: "It is up to them to choose what kind of model they want."

"We are friendly with countries that have different ideologies," he added.

Rigid thinking

However, opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) information chief Tian Chua described the development as 'sad' for MCA.

"As a ruling party, the main task is to develop policies meaningful to the public. MCA now does not engage in public debate on problems affecting them but prefers to run businesses like setting up varsities and party schools," he said.

Instead of drawing inspiration from CCP's cadre-training, he said MCA should encourage the new blood to bring fresh elements into the party.

"We do not oppose the cadre training but the purpose behind it is to create a rigid kind of thinking and not an open attitude," he added.