Liow's men go all out to get support and funds for EGM

2009/11/08

By Joseph Sipalan and Alina Simon

KUALA LUMPUR: Another round of the MCA's leadership crisis begins today, with the start of a nationwide roadshow by the requisitionists of a second extraordinary general meeting.

The trio -- central commitee members Wong Nai Chee, Datuk Wee Jeck Seng and Datuk Liew Yuen Keong -- are expected to meet Klang Valley division delegates at the Federal Hotel at 1pm today to explain the need for another EGM and to raise funds to pay for the meeting.

Wong said they decided against dipping into party funds to pay for the second meeting, considering the cost of the party's watershed Oct 10 EGM when delegates voted against president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and his then-deposed deputy, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

"Judging from the last EGM, the expenditure was around RM800,000, so that is a rough idea of how much we need," he said yesterday.

Wong said their fund-raising started on Friday when the three requisitionists opened a joint account to receive donations from supporters in and outside the party.

He said they would also appeal directly to delegates during the roadshow, holding on-the-spot collections at every stop they make.

But it looks like support has already started rolling in for EGM even before the start of the roadshow, with MCA Pahang pledging to raise RM100,000.

State MCA liaison committee chairman Datuk Hon Khai Mun said part of the plan was to collect RM1 from each of the 65,000 members in the state.

"We believe there is a need to have new party polls to elect the new CC members," he said after meeting party division chiefs in Pahang.

Eleven of the 14 division heads and the state youth and Wanita chiefs attended the meeting.

Of the absentees, the Jerantut and Cameron Highlands division heads declared their support, but there was no response from Kuantan division chief Datuk Ti Lian Ker.

On the question of the legality of the second EGM, Wong, who is a lawyer, shrugged off claims by the party's newly-appointed legal bureau chief Lim Hong Sang that it goes against the constitution.

He said contrary to Lim's assertion that the EGM is calling for the CC's dismissal, it is instead seeking the mandate from central delegates for the CC to make way for fresh elections.

"We are not removing anyone because when you say 'remove' it means disciplinary action. We are not punishing anyone here.

"We are asking for the mandate to get the resignation of the CC members."