KUALA LUMPUR, 19 Nov 2009: A meeting of MCA central committee (CC) members today rejected an emergency general meeting (EGM) slated for 28 Nov as it was against the party constitution, said party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.
Ong said besides that, the notice issued by the group of 16 CC members who wanted to have the EGM supported by vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai was also questionable.
“In the CC meeting today, 23 members rejected the resolution and were against having the EGM as it was against the party constitution, while 10 members supported and two abstained,” Ong said at a news conference after the three-hour CC meeting here today.
This means the EGM need not be held, said Ong, who added that the official letters and the party logo had been misused in sending out notices to central delegates.
Ong announced the appointment of nine persons from among 10 CC members to the Presidential Council. They are Datuk Lee Chee Leong, Senator Heng Seai Kie, Tan Cheng Liang, Datuk Ti Lian Ker, Datuk Loke Yuen Yow, Datuk Seri Tan Chai Ho, Gan Peng Sieu, Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon and Wong Hock Aun. In addition, MCA treasurer Tan Sri Tee Hock Seng will head a special committee to finetune the mechanism and method of distributing party funds to divisions at the grassroots level.
Ong said they also discussed the proposal to have direct elections.
“The Umno model was discussed. There are several choices to be looked into by a special committee headed by Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and a secretariat made up of the secretary-general and the party’s legal bureau,” said Ong.
“Chopping off” operation
At a separate news conference, Liow said the party’s internal crisis was very critical and the EGM would definitely be held.
“We want to tell delegates from throughout the country that this is the time to protect the party’s democracy, so I urge the delegates to attend the second EGM for democracy to be entrenched again in the party,” stressed Liow.
Also at the news conference was Wanita MCA chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong, and several CC members including Lee Wei Kiat, Dr Hou Kok Chung and Datuk Wee Jeck Seng.
Liow called the sacking of Wee and Chew from the presidential council as a “chopping off” operation done by Ong since the 3 Nov CC meeting.
“Today’s MCA CC meeting made our hearts bleed, we are very sad. The MCA is a family at war now, MCA is engaging in the politics of slash and burn, the president disowned the Youth and also the Wanita in the presidential council. This is a serious matter.
“This can be seen as the last straw. The president elected his own people and eliminated those who disagreed with him so he can have absolute power in the presidential council,” Liow said.
He added that the MCA must return to the politics of values and uphold the fundamental democratic principles and be the catalyst of change and hope for the people. — Bernama
Andrew I says
It’s my party, and I’ll cry if I want to… Flowers and chocolates for the dearly “axed”? Wonderful performance. Absolutely terrific. Where’s Guan Eng?
Nicholas Aw says
MCA is at a crossroad. Of course the different factions in MCA would obviously say that they are doing the right thing. Ong Tee Keat says that he had to reconsider his stand to step down as the party and the community need him. Chua Soi Lek says that his personal life should not be a gauge of his service for the community. Liow Tiong Lai says that as a matter of principle, the MCA president should step down as he has lost support.
I’m no [member of] the MCA or any other political party but what is currently happening saddens me. The sacking (to the MCA president, it’s reshuffling) of Wee Ka Siong and others is done in bad taste as much as Ong and Chua deny it.
As a matter of principle, Liow is right. Ong Tee Keat should vacate the president’s chair as he did not get his mandate at the 10-10 EGM. Please don’t be a hypocrite and say that MCA needs you and that you are doing so for the sake of the party. There are always others who are capable of taking over the reign. Go redeem your dignity and step down gracefully.
In the case of Chua Soi Lek – you have been proven to be a tainted leader so politely hang your head low and retire. Are you not embarrassed to continue as deputy president carrying so much baggage? Your response would probably be: “I was elected to the post”. Rightly so but in the first place any humble politcian would have gracefully retired after the much publicised scandal.
I still believe that the best way forward [is] either [to hold] the 28 Nov EGM or completely fresh party elections.