马华妇女组全国主席 周美芬献辞 Message from Chew Mei Fun

回应大时代

为我们这本记载及回顾2008年10月17日至2009年过去一年的特刊取了《回应大时代》这个书名，主要的原因是因为过去的一年里，我们面对了来自党内外数之不尽的挑战，308后的士气低落，1018党选后延烧至今的纷纷扰扰，让我们在致力于转型的过程中屡遭延宕与挫折。

时代不同了，人民对于政党的要求也不同了！308大选的成绩清楚的告诉了我们，人民要的不是小利小惠，人们厌恶的是滥权、贪污！人民要的是民主、透明、开放与公平！我们输掉了很多的选区不是因为我们没有服务，不是因为我们没有表现，而是因为我们的服务与表现改变不了滥权、贪腐的大局势，我们说服不了人民我们拥有改变大势的能力和我们有纠正错误的诚意!因此,今天，如果我们依旧采取过往那种只求表面太平，管他内里腐烂的态度、如果我们连自己党内的民主都无法捍卫而选择默默承受与委屈求全的话，不但人类争取数百年的民主毁于一旦，同时我们在人民面前就再也抬不起头来了！我们如何说服人民，我们奉行民主，我们透明、开放和公平？

在过去的一年里，在中委会成员和许多基层领袖与姐妹的协助下，我们坚持在巨变中奋勇前进，我们在短短的一年里把我们为三年所规划的“7大目标，5大计划”都展开了，有者卓有成效、有者成果初见，有者蓄势待发、有者还在起步！

卓有成效者，如全国31间“妇女儿童援助辅导室”的成立；
成果初见者，如政治策略局向各政府单位所提呈的各项备忘录与在各媒体所发表的政论与意见；
蓄势待发者，如妇女企业发展中心的成立；
还在起步者，则如精英团队和女青年的广招与培训工作!

回应大时代！我们必须拥有比以往更坚韧的毅力和决心！
回应大时代！我们必须摆脱委曲求全，含蓄内敛的从政态度！
回应大时代！我们必须目标明确，大是大非不妥协！
回应大时代！我们无惧风雨，奋勇前进！

周美芬 与您共勉之

Responding to the Call of Times

This special booklet themed “Responding to the Call of Times” records and reviews events from 17 October 2008 to date. The booklet’s theme was primarily based on endless challenges encountered from both within and outside the party in the past year. Morale has been low following defeat in the March 2008 general election. Further, successive squabbles in the wake of the party election held on 18 October 2008 have caused delays and setbacks to our efforts in the process of transformation.

Indeed times have changed such that people of today have much more higher expectations from political parties. The March 2008 general election results evidently showed us that what the people are tired of just lip service or minor benefits. People are fed up and jaded of abuse of power and corruption. They want democracy, transparency, openness and justice. The major reason we were defeated in many electoral districts was neither because we did not serve our electorate nor because we did not perform well. Rather it was the service provided by us which has failed to change the overall trend of abuse of power and corruption. We failed to convince the people of our ability and sincerity in rectifying errors. Consequently, if we were to continue with past approach of being contented with superficial harmony while turning a blind eye to the rot beneath such harmony; if we are unable to safeguard democracy even within our own party but choose to endure and compromise in silence; not only will democracy which mankind has been fighting for centuries vanish overnight, thus we will never be able to face the people with dignity and pride! Thus, how do we convince the people that we uphold democracy, transparency, openness and justice?

In the past one year, we persisted in marching forward steadfastly together, hand in hand with Wanita MCA Central Committee members, grassroots leaders and members amid various challenges and turbulences. Within a short span of one year, we have successfully implemented the Wanita MCA’s 5 Plans based on the 7 Objectives, which was strategically planned for a term of three years. We have seen remarkable records of achievements in the implementation of some plans while one plan with preliminary results; another in the preparation process ready to be implemented and finally two plans at the initial stages of implementation.

One notable achievement is the setting up of 31 Women and Children Aid Counselling Rooms nationwide. Initiative in line with the objectives and plans which is showing preliminary results is marked by the Political Strategy Bureau with continuous efforts such as presenting memoranda to relevant government agencies and expressing political views and opinions through the media. While the Women Entrepreneur Development Centre (WEDC) falls in the ready to be launched preparatory process, recruitment and training initiatives for the Elite Teams and Beliawanis are under way.

Responding to the call of times, we must be more determined and persevering than ever;
Responding to the call of times, we must discard our reserved attitude and inward looking approach;
Responding to the call of times, we must be clear with our objectives and never compromise when it comes to key issues and matters of principle!
Responding to the call of times, we are undaunted by any challenges and hurdles and we shall resolutely march forward!

Chew Mei Fun