Peace plan for MCA

2009/11/21

By Alina Simon, Eileen Ng and Regina Lee

PEKAN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has met warring MCA leaders separately and proposed a peace plan to resolve the party’s internal crisis. He said the party leaders had agreed to think the proposal over before accepting it.

Declining to reveal the details of the plan, Najib hoped it would be accepted by the feuding leaders and members in the party.

The Barisan Nasional chairman also said he decided to step in to help the leaders find a middle ground to resolve the crisis.

“During my meetings with them, I proposed a possible peace plan and formula.

Hopefully, it would be accepted by all the parties concerned.

“The plan will help restore the party’s credibility and confidence among its members and the Chinese community.

“I believe they will agree to it,” he said yesterday after handing over letters to representatives of mosque committees who will be performing the animal sacrificial ritual for the Aidiladha celebration.

Three camels and 427 head of cattle will be distributed to the 215 mosques and surau here.

Najib, who is due to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Trinidad and Tobago, said he had informed Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to continue holding talks on the peace plan with the MCA leaders during his absence.

The prime minister is only expected to return on Dec 1.

Najib expressed confidence that MCA leaders would be able to resolve the crisis soon.

“It looks like they are willing to accept the plan. I think there is hope. Let’s wait for a couple of days. We want the matter resolved quickly. I’ll announce the peace plan once they have agreed to it.” Meanwhile in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, the warring factions told the New Straits Times that the prime minister had agreed for fresh polls to be held.

MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and secretary-general Datuk Wong Foon Meng met Najib for 45 minutes on Thursday morning, while vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong and Wanita head Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun met Najib early yesterday in Putrajaya before the cabinet meeting.

Dr Chua, when contacted yesterday, confirmed the prime minister was agreeable to fresh polls to solve the internal leadership crisis.

Dr Chua said he had given his commitment that polls would be held by March, provided the present electoral system was maintained. MCA is currently studying ways to revamp its electoral system.

“We can’t have the elections now as it is already year end and people are busy with the school holidays, Christmas and the Chinese New Year celebrations.

“The earliest is March and I will push for it,” said Dr Chua, adding that Ong was supportive of the plan.

However, Dr Chua said if members indicated they wanted a new electoral mechanism, then polls could only be held within the next six to eight months as the process of implementing a new mechanism required amendments to the party constitution.

It is also understood that Dr Chua had explained to Najib that the Nov 28 extraordinary general meeting should be called off and all posts be retained.

“I’m all for fresh polls but I can’t support the EGM as the resolutions are defective.

“For the sake of the party’s interests, I hope those involved would consider calling it off ...

sit down and discuss with us how the new polls should be conducted,” he said.

Liow, when contacted, said he met Najib to tell their side of the story and the need for fresh polls.

“We have conveyed to him our concerns and that of the grassroots. It is the only way to resolve this current impasse.

“The BN chairman was receptive andwants us to find an amicable solution. We are thankful for his concern and are sure that he has the best interests of the party at heart.”

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