The Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), the largest uni-racial political party representing Malaysian Chinese ethnicity, has announced that it will set up a central party school in Kuala Lumpur, vowing to become an “intellectual” party.

The association has purchased a five-acre piece of land from noted Malaysian real estate developer Mah Sing Group for the location of the school. The school is expected to further improve the construction of political ideas and the party’s training structure, according to Chew Mei Fun, vice president of the association.

Chew said the school will help make the party become an “intellectual" party and regain the public’s trust and support, China News Service reported.

Founded in 1949, MCA is one of three major component parties of the National Front, the ruling coalition in Malaysia. With about 1.1 million members, MCA has a significant influence over Malaysia’s political arena;but since 2008, its political performance began to weaken as many Chinese voters turned to the opposition party instead. Currently, MCA only holds seven parliamentary seats, according to China News Service.

In order to build up the party, the central party school will introduce a grading system for MCA members, especially for those holding official posts, and encourage members to enroll in training and actively participate in political affairs, Chew explained.