2œ theSun | WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 21 2009

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Tee Keat reshuffles
party bureaus
KUALA LUMPUR: MCA president
Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat yesterday an-
nounced that he is reshuffling his party
bureaus and that Datuk Leong Tang
Chong ceases to be the Legal Bureau
chief with immediate effect.
In his blog (www.ongteekeat.com),
Ong said MCA was currently undergoing
a review and reshuffle of party bureaus
and new bureaus may be created and
old ones refreshed or combined.
“As part of a management reshuffle
in MCA, I have decided to carry out
some changes. Datuk Leong Tang Chong
ceases to be the chief of the MCA Legal
Bureau. The potential candidates have
been shortlisted and I will be making an
announcement on the replacement in
due course. Leong has served the post
for many years and has contributed
directly and indirectly to the MCA.
“He has brought a huge wealth of
legal research to the legal bureau and
given valuable legal advice to the cen-
tral committee (CC). On behalf of the
party, I want to thank him and wish him
all the best in his future endeavour,” he
said.
According to sources, more office-
bearers would be “sacked”, especially
those who “advised” Ong to step down
after the Oct 10 EGM.
Organising secretary Yoo Wei How
and deputy organising secretary Gan
Hong Su are likely to be the next “vic-
tims”.
At the Parliament Hari Raya open
DPM: No intervention in
MCA crisis unless ...
by Giam Say Khoon
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri
Muhyiddin Yassin says Umno will not intervene
in MCA’s leadership crisis unless all its central
committee (CC) members seek help from Prime
house, MCA secretary-general Datuk Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak to resolve
Wong Foon Meng said he is arranging their problems.
for Ong and Liow to meet in two days
RM63m Speaking to reporters in parliament lobby yes-
to find a better solution to resolve the ovehaul for terday, Muhyiddin said: “Since it’s a party matter, I
crisis and avoid EGM2. Penang Hill believe MCA leaders are wise enough to deal with
“My priority now is to arrange the the problems.
meeting although I have been ordered railway “We do not want to be seen as intervening in
by Ong to prepare for EGM2. The meet- pg 4 MCA although we do have moral obligations as
ing will have to represent the views of Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership. We would like to
every CC member and not a few indi- see how MCA manages the situation, if they can
viduals. We respect the outcome of the deal with it themselves, the credit will go to
EGM and we will discuss them. Unless every CC member feels that the
how to implement one that can help is the prime minister or I,
the outcome,” he only then will we come in.
said. “When they have consensus that only the
Former vice- prime minister or BN chairman can resolve
president Datuk Seri this, then BN can have the legal standing
Dr Fong Chan Onn to make a decision. Otherwise, we will not
said he was confident be welcomed and we will be treated as an
with the top leader- outsider,” he said.
ship and suggested Muhyiddin did not want to comment on
that the problem be whether there was a need for the party to
resolved internally. have another extraordinary general meet-
“The feeling of the ing (EGM) to resolve its internal conflict.
grassroots is if Umno “I do not want to intervene nor am I
were to be involved the adviser to MCA. They (MCA leaders)
now, they will lose will know better that there are provisions
face. So, it is not the in the party constitution but we should
time yet. also take the party dignity, integrity and
“It is still accept- reputation as well as the benefit of the
able for a negotiation Chinese community and the people into
to produce an inclusive consideration.
leadership with the “It’s our hope to see MCA strong.”
participation of Ong, Muhyiddin said he fully agreed with
Liow and (former deputy Najib that the MCA crisis should be re-
president Datuk Seri) Dr solved as soon as possible and achieve
Chua (Soi Lek). a good outcome on who should lead
the party because “we are worried that if the is-
sue is dragged for too long, the party will not help
strengthen BN and the government.
“The Chinese community certainly wants to see
MCA be able to resolve its problems fast. As a senior
component party in BN, the impact will be big if the
problems are not resolved because people will feel
the uncertainties.
“My hope is that the party can resolve the prob-
lems based on the party constitution and consider
the outcome of the Oct 10 EGM (in which MCA
president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat lost a confidence
resolution by 14 votes while Datuk Seri Dr Chua
Soi Lek failed to get the delegates to reinstate him
as deputy president) to preserve the dignity of the
party which does not belong to Ong, Chua or (newly
deputy president) Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
“It (MCA) belongs to the people, especially the
Chinese community. Umno has started its reform;
there will be problems if the component party is still
unable to resolve its own problems,” he said.
On whether Ong should step down since he
has lost the majority support from the delegates,
Muhyiddin also refused to comment but said the
MCA leaders know what Ong should do.
On Thursday, Ong ordered party secretary-gen-
eral Datuk Wong Foon Meng to call for an EGM to
determine the need for fresh party elections.
On the intention of Datuk Ibrahim Ali, the inde-
pendent MP for Pasir Mas, to rejoin Umno, Muhyid-
din said: “Umno is open about Ibrahim’s intention
and if he has submitted his membership form, the
supreme council will consider it.
“We will see whether it (Ibrahim’s request) is
reasonable, sincere and his past records … He has
his own uniqueness in politics. We will consider his
application but until now, we have not received
anything,” he said.
On the call by the Malaysian Trades Union
Congress for Employees Provident Fund (EPF)
deductions to be reverted to 11% from the current
8%, Muhyiddin said the EPF could make an official
request to the government based on the wishes of
employees.

‘Another EGM will lead Liow and Ong may hold

to more squabbling’ second round of talks
NEWLY-APPOINTED deputy president Datuk Seri the two leaders, including accusations of mutiny
MCA vice-president Tan Kok racy, he said, adding that Liow Tiong Lai is said to have held a meeting with and betrayal, were cleared in the meeting. Both
Hong says MCA needs stability a united team should be president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat on Monday in had agreed that much of the misunderstandings
and unity and there is no need for Press Digest formed through negotia- which both indicated willingness to continue to
work together.
stemmed from a lack of communication.
Meanwhile, China Press reported that Datuk
a second extraordinary general by Kong See Hoh tions.
meeting (EGM2). newsdesk@thesundaily.com Tan told Oriental Daily According to a Sin Chew Daily report yesterday, Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, who believes that he is still
Tan, who has been keeping News this when asked sources close to the two leaders did not discount the rightful deputy president, is expected to get
mum before and after the 10/10 EGM, finally to comment on party president Datuk Seri Ong the possibility that if talks between them are an answer from the Registrar of Societies (ROS)
broke his silence on Monday. Tee Keat’s decision to hold EGM2 for delegates fruitful, Ong would continue to lead the party. in a day or two.
“What is of utmost importance is for MCA to to decide whether fresh party elections should Both Ong and Liow were happy with the mutual He recently filed an appeal with the ROS seeking
have a team which can work closely together. I be held. sincerity shown in their first round of talks, the reinstatement as MCA deputy president. Sources
don’t support another EGM, as it will only lead He said although party members in Johor may sources said, adding that a consensus on full coop- told the daily that if the ROS rules for Chua, Liow’s
to more squabbling. MCA cannot afford to waste be aligned with different leaders, 80% to 90% of eration between the two could be achieved within election as party No. 2 would be nullified.
more time on infighting. What is important is unity, them are able to work together and they hope a day or two. “In the interest of the party, the two “The question of two deputy presidents does
let’s work for party unity and stability.” to see a team that can bring unity and stability have agreed to hold a second round of talks.” not arise as MCA has to abide by the decision of
Elections do not necessarily equal to democ- to the party. The sources said misunderstandings between the ROS, which is final.”