MCA crisis
Liow hails BN mediation

2009/11/20

By Regina Lee and Sajahan Waheed

PUTRAJAYA: Embattled MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong have welcomed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's intention to "mediate" and resolve the current leadership crisis in MCA. Top on the agenda for Liow will be to inform Najib on the need for an extraordinary general meeting.

"Even if the party leadership doesn't agree to fresh party elections, the EGM has to proceed to let the delegates decide. It is not up to a few members in the central committee.

"If the delegates don't want one, let them come for the EGM on Nov 28 and let them vote to say that the party does not need one.

"The EGM is not to sack anyone; it is not to cause any instability. It is just a platform to decide if there is a need for party polls, which I think there is."

For Liow, there is only one other way of avoiding the EGM. "If the leadership today can decide that there is a need for fresh party polls, then we can bypass the EGM."

Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong says the Greater Unity Plan is not being implemented in line with the aspirations of party members.

Liow also said Najib's call should not be misinterpreted as interference.

"We also have to take advice from the prime minister and I thank him for his concern over in our party turmoil. As the Barisan Nasional chairman, he has the right to worry about our problem and that's why I welcome his efforts."

Wee echoed Liow's stance when met at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

He said that it was high time for the BN chairman to meet MCA leaders from the opposing factions for the greater interest of MCA and BN.

"It shows the BN chairman is concerned over what is happening in MCA. The proposed Greater Unity Plan is not being implemented, in line with the aspirations of party members.

"This can be seen in the president's move to reshuffle the presidential council on Wednesday," said Wee, who is deputy education minister.

MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat had on Wednesday announced the reshuffling of the presidential council, appointing six new faces.

The six are Datuk Seri Tan Chai Ho, Tan Cheng Liang, Datuk Lee Chee Leong, Datuk Ti Lian Ker, Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon and Senator Heng Seai Kie. Three others-- Datuk Loke Yuen Yow, Gan Ping Sieu and Wong Hock Aun -- were re-appointed.

Among the six dropped were Wee and MCA Wanita chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun.

Wee said he and other party members were waiting for Najib to find a solution to MCA's crisis.

"This is for the good of BN and to save MCA. I have been receiving hundreds of text messages from various quarters expressing their concern over what is happening in the party.

"We have agreed to work together but what is the point of having a Greater Unity Plan when there are more reshuffles and people are thrown out from their position?"

On whether Najib's involvement meant that Umno leaders were interfering in MCA's internal issue, Wee said: "I have always been very careful about the word 'intervention'. I believe MCA's problems should be settled within the party.

"That is why we called for an EGM on Nov 28 but some quarters are not agreeable with this.

"If the current president wants to defend his post, he is free to do so. In the event that he wins, we will accept the delegates' verdict and there will be no split in the party."