Delegates seen voting for a strong, revitalized MCA

KUALA LUMPUR - As the triple-10 extraordinary general meeting approaches for the MCA - at 10am on the 10th day of the 10th month – many party watchers believe the 2,400-od central delegates have more or less made up their minds.

Despite the convolutions or perhaps precisely because of the barrage of complexities that have emerged, they believe that the delegates have absorbed as much as they can or want to.

“Most just want to get the meeting over and done with. Life goes on and they want the party to move forward. They want a revitalized MCA that can recapture the hearts and minds of the Chinese community,” a party insider told the Malaysian Mirror.

Taking the bull by the horns

MCA president Ong Tee Keat took the bull by the horns when he sanctioned the Oct 10 EGM, where five resolution are due to be tabled that could see him ousted along with many of his stalwarts in the presidential council.

“Resolving the party’s leadership problems has always been our aim. As MCA president, I want to see the EGM take place."," Ong said earlier this week.

Ong is locked in a leadership conflict with his deputy Chua Soi Lek, whose sacking last month was commuted to a four-year suspension last Saturday.

Chua’s sin? He was caught in a sex scandal with the DVD of him having sex with a woman friend widely circulated across the country and even overseas.

For this, the presidential council, on the recommendation of the disciplinary board, sacked from the party last month.

But his angry supporters claimed this was unfair and vowed to overturn the decision at the EGM. At the same time, they proposed to table a no-confidence vote against Ong.

Sacking reduced to suspension

Saturday's review by the MCA’s powerful 45-member central committee ended with a surprise decision to reinstate Chua. But at the same time, it also slapped on the suspension as Chua’s scandal had undeniably tarnished the party.

Nevertheless, the EGM is still on and the five resolutions remain intact. These are (1) a motion of no-confidence against Tee Keat (2) to annul the decision by the presidential council to expel Chua (3) to reinstate Chua as MCA deputy president , Pease vote NO to these three (4) to revoke any appointments including the deputy president made before the EGM and (5) that no disciplinary action be taken against the EGM requisitionists.

Now with just about two weeks to go, the feedback from the ground is still cystal clear as far as the first motion is concerned.

“The no-confidence vote won’t be successful. From day one, the majority in MCA want Ong to lead. He enjoys immense support from the grassroots but he has had to fight against unseen hands and powerful external forces,” the party source said.

“I think the Chinese community is finally getting the picture and what he is up against. Support for him has increased even more in the past week.”

Born-again respect for MCA

The second resolution to annul the presidential council’s decision to sack Chua is less clear. Before his suspension, the clarion call from his camp had been justice for Chua!

But that is now moot. In fact, there has been a subtle swing.

MCA delegates are now seen as unlikely to vote against the presidential council. Ong has made it clear that such a decision would irreversibly weaken him. He has said he would have no choice but to quit if they did not uphold the presidential council's decsion.

“The way Ong has gone tooth-and-nail in this fight has awakened many in community, not just the MCA. If before, the Chinese were unhappy because the MCA never stood up for the community’s political rights, they are now wide awake.
"Who is this lion, why is he fighting like this, what is at stake and slowly, the answers are dawning on them and they like it. Hopefully, this will translate into born-again respect for the party." - Malaysian Mirror