Third party wants Najib to solve MCA crisis

2009/11/14

Farrah Naz Karim and Minderjeet Kaur

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters after feting the Malaysian contingent to the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) 2009 at the Education Ministry in Putrajaya
yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the Barisan Nasional leaders would only come in if a majority of the party’s central committee members agreed to it.

He stressed that when that happens, the onus would be on MCA to accept any formula the leaders come up with for the sake of unity and stability of the party.

“Both the prime minister and I have said that we do not want to interfere. We hope that the MCA leaders could quickly find a solution to this long-standing crisis.

“But if the party feels it is difficult to settle the problem among themselves, and that they need the help of a middleman, the prime minister and I are willing to play that role.”

Muhyiddin acknowledged that the problem in MCA is messy and must be resolved fast. Asked if MCA risked being de-registered if the problem persisted, Muhyiddin said many problems could arise for the party if it continued
that way.

“We don’t want anything drastic to happen to the party and to prevent that, we have to resolve this problem by all means.”

The third force is also nowsupportive of the greater unity plan with party president Datuk Seri OngTee Keat and deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek leading the party.

“At first, we rejected both Ong and Chua. They were weakening the party. But now, both hold hands for greater unity. If that is good for the party, why not?”Tan said.

He said the dramatic change of events between the two top leaders showed there were no permanent friends or enemies in politics. Without naming the people backing the third force, he said the members also wanted party vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai to adapt to the changes for the sake of the
party.

They have also rejected the second extraordinary general meeting to be held on Nov 25. Tan said the central delegates were tired and fed up with the second EGM which fell one week before the annual general meeting on
Dec 5. He said out of the 16 central committee members who initiated the second EGM, four had been sacked while another three were now in support of the unity plan.

“Less than one-third support the second EGM. I am not asking anyone to boycott it but we want everyone to work hand-in-hand for the good image of the party.