Ong-Chua unity plan needs to be transparent: Muhyiddin

GENTING HIGHLANDS, 28 Oct 2009: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the unity plan between MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and his former deputy Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek needs to be transparent and be understood by the party’s leaders.

Muhyiddin, who is also the deputy chairperson of the Barisan Nasional (BN), said the plan was not the property of “certain individuals” or “one or two leaders” only, but was for the MCA.

“It is only proper that leaders at all levels know what the plan entails. I, too, want to know as a member of the BN.

“Maybe we can help. It would be good if the plan was made transparent to their members, and not that only some leaders know about it. As it is, top leaders also don’t know … what is so secret if [the plan] is for the good,” Muhyiddin told reporters here today.

He was asked to comment on the statement by MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai that the unity plan between Ong and Chua should have been discussed earlier at the party central committee (CC) level.

Liow said this was the stance of the majority of the CC members, who said they were dissatisfied with the unity plan as the CC was not consulted. Instead, the plan was drafted by the two individuals concerned.

Commenting further, Muhyiddin said the unity plan needed to be known by MCA leaders as they also had a role in resolving the conflict in the party.

“The matter is not to reveal to people but to leaders involved, so that they know the reality.

“No one should be left out of knowing the facts, as I think in the unity process, [everyone has] a role, not just certain individuals. So, if all MCA leaders know and agree that this is a good plan, they would support in making the plan a reality,” he said.

Asked about the ongoing upheaval in the MCA, Muhyiddin said what was happening in the party now was a process to resolve the matter and it could not be done in a short time.

“What is sure is that the desire to resolve has begun … that’s good, there’s development. After this, we want to see the result … the plan is one part, the effect of the plan to have peace and unity in the party is paramount,” he said. — Bernama