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CC members want
better way to
resolve crisis: Liow
by Giam Say Khoon
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
KUALA LUMPUR: Newly elected MCA
deputy president Datuk Seri Liow
Tiong Lai disclosed that most of the
central committee (CC) members did
not agree with party president Datuk
Seri Ong Tee Keat’s decision to call for
an extraordinary general meeting to
determine whether there is a need for
fresh party elections.
Liow told reporters after the CC
meeting yesterday the CC members
wanted a better way to resolve the
party crisis following the decision at the
EGM on Saturday to reject the leader-
ship of both Ong and former deputy
president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.
“There must be a better way to
stabilise the party but it is the right of the
president to call for an EGM under Article
30.1 of the party constitution,” he said.
Liow said according to the party
constitution, fresh elections can only
be held with the resignation of two-
thirds of the CC members.
“We give time to the president
to think the best way (to resolve the
problem),” he said, adding that Ong
must define the resolution based on
the party constitution.
theSun | FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2009
Earlier, Ong did not tender his
resignation as promised after he lost
the majority support of the delegates
but directed secretary-general Datuk
Wong Foon Meng to prepare an EGM
and let the delegates decide the need
for fresh party elections.
Vice-presidents Datuk Seri Kong
Cha Ha and Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen,
Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong and
Wanita chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Ong is greeted by supporters on his arrival at Wisma MCA for the central committee meeting yesterday.
Fun had joined Liow for a “high-tea”
session before the press conference.
On his new post as deputy president,
Liow said he accepted the “promotion”
Chua’s supporters ‘pacified’ No new H1N1 case
with a heavy heart but vowed to reunite » From Front Page It was reported on Wednesday admitted to ICU
the party and help Barisan Nasional suc-
ceed in the next general election. She said the decision was made that Liow, Kong and Ng had met to
as the committee members felt discuss the succession of the top KUALA LUMPUR: No new admission of
He said his election as the deputy Influenza A (H1N1) patient to intensive care
president was done after the commit- that the position has to be filled post but no details were given.
following the outcome of the There was speculation that units (ICU) was reported yesterday.
tee had interpreted the third resolution Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail
to reject Chua in the EGM under Article Oct 10 EGM as Chua, who was Liow would be appointed party
reinstated as a member, had president. Merican said, however, 167 new patients
174 that since Chua had not been rein- with symptoms of influenza-like illness had
stated, the post was vacated and the not been reinstated as deputy A party insider said that Ong’s
president. decision had not only pacified been hospitalised for treatment and 166 of
interpretation by the committee is final
CC member and Youth secre- Chua’s supporters who want them had been discharged.
and shall not be subject to question by
tary-general Datuk Chai Kim Seng fresh elections, but he had also “The number of ILI cases still under treat-
any court of law.
disclosed that although there stopped the incumbent leaders ment nationwide is 699 at 80 hospitals, with
He said the election was conducted
were differences in opinion when from sharing “the spoils of war”. seven of the patients in private hospitals.”
based on Articles 23 and 40 of the party
Liow was proposed as deputy The EGM could be held as soon He said only 28 are confirmed influenza A
constitution and he thanked Kong, who
was also nominated as deputy presi- president, the CC members agreed as seven days or within 30 days of cases, with five of them in the ICU. – Bernama
dent, for making way for him. that he hold the post for now. the requisition.