CALD parties wrap up another political party management workshop

(October 30, 2008/ Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) The representatives of CALD member parties and CALD partners concluded today CALD’s 2nd Political Party Management workshop. The three-day event with the theme “Setting Contexts and Contrasts: Building and Managing Liberal Political Parties in Asia” is second of a two-part series that sought to establish an overview of how political parties function and why such political institutions are important in establishing a sound and effective government.

This year’s workshop, supported by Friedrich Naumann Foundation and hosted by Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (PGRM), was held in Seri Cempaka, Gerakan’s service apartment suites located beside Menara PGRM, the party headquarters. The workshop was facilitated by Dr. Neric Acosta, secretary general of CALD, and Ms. Chit Asis, former director general of the Liberal Party of the Philippines and a participant of the first workshop.

The workshop focused on three main topics namely: 1) political party ideology and political realities which talked about the principles behind party platforms and the challenges parties face vis-a-vis the larger context of the political environment they are operating in; 2) political party finance which dealt with the means and constraints of managing and raising party funds; and lastly, 3) media and politics which laid down the party’s policies and stance in engaging with media and vice versa.

On the first session, Dr. Acosta presented the general context where parties operate and explained the significance of knowing the contested political terrain and how and where one sees his/her party in this particular setting. He also focused on the critical role that political leadership plays in political parties and as agents of change. Mr. Siggi Herzog, resident representative in the Philippines of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, presented the importance of a clear party vision and a coherent party platform to help parties become avenues to alternatives and viable solutions to the emerging challenges in a country.

Ms. Asis gave a brief overview of the sources of party financing and the presented ways to regulate party funding. She defined public/state financing and private fund-raising, and explained the merits and pitfalls as well as the abuse and corruption related to fund-raising. Mr. Keo Phirum, Chief of Staff of Hon. Sam Rainsy, MP of the Sam Rainsy Party of Cambodia, presented grassroots initiatives in raising funds for his party and explained that decentralization makes local chapters strong and makes them more empowered to make independent decision making.

The third session included Mr. Steven Gan, co-founder of Malaysiakini and Asiaweek’s 50 most powerful communicators. He spoke about the significance and role of new media in politics through the experience of Malaysiakini, a leading political news website that offers alternative news and views on Malaysia. The discussions noted the need for political parties to make their parties attractive to media if they want regular exposure and coverage. Parties need to have clear messages and positions on current issues. Parties also have to be consistent with their track record and performance.

The participants had the chance to visit the PGRM headquarters and the Wawasan Open University Center, Malaysia’s first private, non-profit, open learning institution operating under the initiative of PGRM.  Gerakan also hosted a dinner with cultural show at the Saloma Theatre restaurant and a half-day tour of Kuala Lumpur City.

The facilitators provided the synthesis of the workshop. According to them, parties should take note of the external and internal factors that influence party leadership and development of party platforms, party finance management and media relations. Transformational leadership has to also be developed among party leaders in CALD. Parties should continue to pursue reforms and to encourage their leadership to muster the political will to undertake the vital reforms needed in their respective parties

Categorised in: News Article

This post was written by CALD