KUALA LUMPUR, 27 Oct 2009: The MCA seems headed for a fresh round of internal bickering, with newly elected deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and 15 members of the party’s powerful central committee (CC) today openly asking the top leadership to respect the outcome of the 10 Oct extraordinary general meeting (EGM).
Without specifying whether president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat should stay or go, Liow said Ong and Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek should respect the decision of delegates who had passed a motion of no confidence against Ong and rejected the reinstatement of Chua as deputy president.
“We all at the CC respect the EGM decision on 10 Oct. However, its implementation was not carried out entirely, and the president did not state his stand clearly,” he told a media conference with the 15 CC members at Wisma MCA here today.
“That has caused some confusion,” he said.
Among those present were MCA Youth chief Datuk Wee Ka Siong, Wanita chief Datuk Paduka Chew Mei Fun, national Organising Secretary Yoo Wei How, and several other CC members, including those appointed by Ong.
Liow and the others did not give clear answers when asked if they wanted Ong to resign, which requires the approval two-thirds of the delegates.
They urged Ong to discuss the “greater unity plan” with the CC, saying they were not consulted when the plan was put forward.
Liow said he was only told of the plan by Ong just before the president held a press conference last Thursday to announced a peace plan with Chua, his party rival.
“I was told about the plan just before the press conference. Yes, I agreed to it in order to unite the party. However, I was not told about the details. Only when the press conference was about to start that I knew Chua was there,” he said.
Chew said Liow only welcomed the “greater unity plan” in principle for party unity, but the CC still needed to discuss it because they were not briefed at all on the matter.
“The unity plan does not involve one or two but all,” she said.
Wee pointed out that it was Ong who had promised to step down even if he won with a simple majority. “Not that we forced him. The EGM is the highest authority, all in the party should support the decision of the members,” he said.
Liow claimed that between the 10 Oct EGM and the CC meeting on 15 Oct, Ong had said he would step down.
“The president himself told us that he wanted to resign and informed me and (secretary-general) Datuk Wong Foon Meng to continue with the work that needed to be done. However, we regret that we are now being accused of forcing the president to step down,” he said.
On suggestions for the party to have fresh polls, Liow said, “Anybody can give their view, including journalists.” — Bernama
LTH says
On 10 Oct, Liow shot Ong in the back. Today, Liow is telling Ong: “You were shot, so stay dead.”
kwchap says
Finally, the “invisible hands” speak…
george leow says
I am just an ordinary, simple Malaysian of Chinese origin. However, [in the face] of the bickering by top leaders of a Chinese [Malaysian] political organisation, I personally feel that peace must prevail within the MCA. I’m sure other Chinese [Malaysians] feel the same. Unless, of course, other top leaders think that the MCA is irrelevant within the context of a racial-based political party. These selfish leaders might want to disintegrate the party for their own personal gain …
Ong should not resign just because he had said he would. Yes, he must respect the decision of the delegates in the EGM. He has, which is why he still remains as the president. The delegates could have booted him out only with a 2/3 majority, [but this didn’t happen]. Ong is a responsible and dedicated party member who has been democratically elected by the general assembly as a president. As such, he has the responsibility of continuing to carry out his duties as entrusted to him.
I beg of these privileged chosen leaders keep the peace and serve the community with love and dedication. You are not important to me or the Chinese [Malaysian] commmunity; the party is. Be humble and continue serving all Malaysians in general. If [you] cannot do so, please resign and come back in the future to see whether [the people] want you or not. If Ong and Chua can come together now, why not others?