Tuesday February 9, 2010
Resign from all appointed positions, Ti urges Liow
PETALING JAYA: MCA central committee member Datuk Ti Lian Ker has urged vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai to quit all his appointed positions if he remained in conflict with the party president.
Ti, in his latest blog posting entitled “What is happening to our minister?”, said Liow would only be taken seriously in his cause if he resigned from all posts. “If he cannot respect the chair of the president and the deputy, he is no longer fit to command the respect of a leader.
“Even if he does not see eye-to-eye with the president or disagrees with the party decisions, he is under an obligation to respect the party and work as a team player,” wrote Ti, who is the Kuantan MCA division chief.
He said Liow was appointed a minister by virtue of his position in the MCA and not in his personal capacity.
“If he cannot toe the party line and chooses to walk a wayward path, he is no longer working and looking after the interest, stability and welfare of the party,” said Ti.
He cited the resignation of former Deputy Prime Minister Tun Musa Hitam in 1986 when the latter disagreed with then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“Musa understood the spirit, mechanics and principles of democracy. He merely retained the deputy president’s post of which he was duly elected by the delegates,” he added.
Ti asked where Liow was heading after saying that he was not boycotting the party but only not participating in activities organised by party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and his deputy Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Muhyiddin diminta tegur pemimpin BN
Muhyiddin diminta tegur pemimpin BN
http://http//www.sinarharian.com.my/com/content/story6770001.asp
KUANTAN- Ahli Jawatan Kuasa Pusat MCA, Datuk Ti Lian Ker meminta Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin menasihati pemimpin komponen Barisan Nasional (BN) khususnya yang bergelar Menteri agar berhenti bercakaran sesama sendiri.
“Pemimpin yang mantap dan matang tidak akan bercakaran sesama sendiri sebaliknya sentiasa mencari jalan mengukuhkan BN selari dengan semangat demokrasi.
“Ada kalanya pemimpin yang bercakaran ini sentiasa melaungkan semangat demokrasi namun pada masa yang sama mereka sendiri yang tidak mematuhi semangat itu selain tidak berpegang kepada konsep keluhuran perlembagaan,” katanya kepada pemberita selepas majlis penyerahan ang pau kepada warga emas di dewan Menteri Besar, semalam.
Lian Ker berkata demikian ketika diminta mengulas teguran TPM apabila mengarahkan parti-parti komponen BN yang bermasalah khususnya MCA dan parti Progresif Penduduk (PPP) supaya mengambil langkah segera menyelesaikan kemelut dalam parti masing-masing.
“Masalah dalaman dalam MCA adalah masalah yang lebih bersifat individu.
“Dalam hal ini, semua parti komponen ada krisis dalaman masing-masing, justeru itu semua parti terlibat perlu menyelesaikan masalah mereka,” katanya.
http://http//www.sinarharian.com.my/com/content/story6770001.asp
“Pemimpin yang mantap dan matang tidak akan bercakaran sesama sendiri sebaliknya sentiasa mencari jalan mengukuhkan BN selari dengan semangat demokrasi.
“Ada kalanya pemimpin yang bercakaran ini sentiasa melaungkan semangat demokrasi namun pada masa yang sama mereka sendiri yang tidak mematuhi semangat itu selain tidak berpegang kepada konsep keluhuran perlembagaan,” katanya kepada pemberita selepas majlis penyerahan ang pau kepada warga emas di dewan Menteri Besar, semalam.
Lian Ker berkata demikian ketika diminta mengulas teguran TPM apabila mengarahkan parti-parti komponen BN yang bermasalah khususnya MCA dan parti Progresif Penduduk (PPP) supaya mengambil langkah segera menyelesaikan kemelut dalam parti masing-masing.
“Masalah dalaman dalam MCA adalah masalah yang lebih bersifat individu.
“Dalam hal ini, semua parti komponen ada krisis dalaman masing-masing, justeru itu semua parti terlibat perlu menyelesaikan masalah mereka,” katanya.
Ti pins blame on 'errant leaders'
Ti pins blame on 'errant leaders'
2010/02/08
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/6til/Article/index_html
KUANTAN: The Barisan Nasional leadership should ask problematic leaders to buck up as they are the ones creating problems and not the component parties, MCA central committee member Datuk Ti Lian Ker said yesterday.
Lauding the advice given by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on the matter on Saturday, Ti however, said it would be more effective if such advice was given straight to the problematic component party leaders.
"Those with ministerial posts have a high responsibility and should set a good example and must be well-disciplined."
Ti admitted that all parties had internal problems but they could worsen if the top leadership failed to abide by the party constitution.
However, he said the problems faced by Pakatan Rakyat were different as its main aim was to topple the BN government rather than serving the people.
Heed advice to resolve party woes fast, says Ti
Monday February 8, 2010
Heed advice to resolve party woes fast, says Ti
By SIMON KHOO
KUANTAN: Leaders in the MCA, especially those holding government positions, should take heed of recent calls to resolve internal party problems fast.
As a “dissenting group” in the party advocating democracy, they should adhere to the principle of conforming to the wishes of the majority, said central committee member Datuk Ti Lian Ker.
Citing Umno as an example, Ti said whenever problems occurred, the factions involved would abide by the advice issued by the president or deputy president.
“In the MCA’s case, such advice is not entertained by the dissenters, resulting in a protracted split in the party.
“It is about time the advice of the Prime Minister and his deputy be respected by all in the spirit of democracy,” he said when met after presenting goodies and red packets to some 750 senior citizens here.
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had repeatedly stressed the need for Barisan Nasional component parties to strengthen their internal unity to face the next general election.
On another matter, Ti, who is also Kuantan MCA division chief, said the on-going feud among Pakatan Rakyat leaders indicated that all was not well in the opposition coalition.
“They have no clear agenda to develop the country. They are not even bothered to hide their differences even though their objective is yet to be achieved,” he said.
Ti urged the people not to be deceived by their “pact” or it would spell doom for the country.
He said several issues taken up by the Opposition – such as corruption and poverty – had been brought up by the MCA and addressed by the Government.
Early CNY cheer for elderly
Early CNY cheer for elderly
2010/02/08
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/10CNY3/Article/index_html
KUANTAN: Teh Ching Teong and wife Chai Yoke Ying, both 78, were so eager to join the MCA Chinese New Year luncheon at the menteri besar's official residence yesterday that they came as early as 8am.
This is the third year that the couple has joined the programme jointly organised with the menteri besar's office."We are so happy to meet our old friends here. We also receive ang pow which are normally given to unmarried children," said Teh before bursting into laughter.The former teacher said senior citizens like him felt appreciated when attending such a programme."Normally we have nothing much to do while waiting for our children and grandchildren to join us for the celebration. "At least, we can have early celebration at this function,"
All senior citizens, who registered themselves at the Kuantan MCA office here throughout last week, received ang pow and hampers from Simon Lim Seng Chai, political secretary to MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.Kuantan MCA chief Datuk Ti Lian Ker said the annual programme was held as a token of appreciation for the contributions made by senior citizens."We also want to inculcate good family values which is to respect the elderly. "The people nowadays have forgotten such values due to work pressure and financial burden."
2010/02/08
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/10CNY3/Article/index_html
KUANTAN: Teh Ching Teong and wife Chai Yoke Ying, both 78, were so eager to join the MCA Chinese New Year luncheon at the menteri besar's official residence yesterday that they came as early as 8am.
This is the third year that the couple has joined the programme jointly organised with the menteri besar's office."We are so happy to meet our old friends here. We also receive ang pow which are normally given to unmarried children," said Teh before bursting into laughter.The former teacher said senior citizens like him felt appreciated when attending such a programme."Normally we have nothing much to do while waiting for our children and grandchildren to join us for the celebration. "At least, we can have early celebration at this function,"
All senior citizens, who registered themselves at the Kuantan MCA office here throughout last week, received ang pow and hampers from Simon Lim Seng Chai, political secretary to MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.Kuantan MCA chief Datuk Ti Lian Ker said the annual programme was held as a token of appreciation for the contributions made by senior citizens."We also want to inculcate good family values which is to respect the elderly. "The people nowadays have forgotten such values due to work pressure and financial burden."
Friday, February 5, 2010
Liow’s boycott plan under fire
Friday February 5, 2010
Liow’s boycott plan under fire
By NG CHENG YEE
PETALING JAYA: More MCA leaders have criticised the decision by the group led by vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai to boycott party functions and activities.
MCA’s non-governmental organisations liaison bureau chairman Datuk Ti Lian Ker said the move was destructive and negative.
»They have shirked their responsibilities to discuss and resolve issues about the community« DATUK SERI DR FONG CHAN ONN “It is a sign of political immaturity and it is just a move to satisfy their personal agenda and ego,” he said.
He said the decision by Liow’s faction had disappointed the grassroots which had wanted the leaders to work together in facing the country’s political and economic challenges.
“There is no necessity to push for a party election as it will be held next year,” he said.
On Tuesday, the MCA Integrity Restoring Task Force declared that the faction aligned to Liow would boycott events held by the present leadership until they honoured their word to hold a re-election.
Yesterday, Liow said his faction would not review its decision.
“We want to pass a message to the leadership to take the immediate action of calling for a fresh election,” he said.
Asked whether they would attend the MCA’s Chinese New Year open house on Feb 14, Liow said:
“We will announce the details later. We will call off the boycott immediately if there is a fresh election,” he said.
Party disciplinary board chairman Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn said the group, comprising of one minister and five deputy ministers, were supposed to bring up issues that concerned the Chinese community.
“However, by making such a decision, they have shirked their responsibilities to discuss and resolve issues about the community,” he said, adding that they had a mandate to serve the party and the nation.
“They may not like (party president) Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and (deputy president) Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek but they should put the interest of the people above everything else by returning to the fold and work with other leaders,” he said yesterday.
Bernama quoted former MCA secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Ting Chew Peh as saying that “if you are in the CC, whether you like it or not, you’ve got to follow the decisions made although there might have been differences of opinion. If you can’t, then you’ve got to quit.”
MCA veteran Datuk Yap Pian Hon said the action by Liow’s faction was “akin to declaring war against your own party,” which showed their immaturity in handling the crisis.
Yap said they should realise that they were voted in by party members and the government positions given to them were based on the party’s recommendations.
“They have a social responsibility to help the party, not to destroy it. You can disagree with others but once a decision is made, you cannot resort to a boycott. Otherwise, you must have the courage to resign.
“You cannot talk about integrity and not practise it,” he said.
Yesterday, a newspaper reported that Ong had voiced regret over the decision by the group.
“It is a pity that any leader chooses to shirk his responsibility through self-alienation. After all, the party is for all,” he said in the report.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Take further action, says Ong
Thursday February 4, 2010
Take further action, says Ong
PETALING JAYA: The racist re-marks made by Datuk Nasir Safar have hurt the feelings of the non-Malays, in particular the Chinese and Indians, MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said.
He said the remarks were totally inconsistent with the 1Malaysia concept espoused by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
“Many of us are saddened and outraged by the statement. It reeks of racism, is highly inconsiderate and totally unacceptable.
“What is worse is that the statement was made at a function on 1Malaysia organised by the Infor-mation, Communications and Culture Ministry’s Special Affairs Department,” Ong said in a statement here yesterday.
He said he welcomed the immediate clarification by the Prime Minister’s Office that Nasir’s statement did not reflect the views of Najib’s administration.
“However, the damage has been done and further action needs to be taken, including possible disciplinary proceedings or invoking sedition laws,” he said.
Racism and bigotry, Ong said, were distractions that would hamper genuine efforts to develop the economic and social well-being of the country.
“These will also be obstacles in the Government Transformation Programme towards enhancing inter-ethnic harmony,” he added.
He said the independence of the country was won by Umno, MCA and MIC and all of them had fought earnestly for their constitutional rights in the country.
“Each and every race, including the orang asli and the indigenous groups of east Malaysia, has contributed greatly to the building and development of Malaysia and these historical facts cannot be disputed,” he said.
He added that Malaysia belon-ged to all races, and today almost all Malaysians were born and bred in the country.
“No one is an immigrant,” he said.
Ong asked the MCA’s Deputy Information, Communications and Culture Minister Senator Heng Seai Kie to ensure that continuous and proper input reflecting the views of all ethnic communities consistent with the true spirit of 1Malaysia be given to officials of the special department organising seminars.
“This is to ensure such an incident does not occur in the future.”
MCA’s non-governmental organisations liaison bureau chairman Datuk Ti Lian Ker said Nasir should be investigated under the Sedition Act.
He said his remarks with regard to the citizenship of non-Malays provoked sensitivities and encroached on the constitutional guarantee for all Malaysian citizens. Ti said in a statement that action should be taken against anybody irrespective of rank or status when they uttered racist or seditious remarks.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Ti hopes to broaden Insap scope
Ti hopes to broaden Insap scope
http://www.theedgemalaysia.com/political-news/158236-ti-hopes-to-broaden-insap-scope.html
Tags: 2008 General Election | Barisan Nasional | Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek | Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai | Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat | Datuk Ti Lian Ker | Federal Constitution | GST | INSAP | MCA | New Economic Policy
KUALA LUMPUR: These are turbulent times for Barisan Nasional’s (BN) oldest partner MCA.
Even before the Chinese-based party has had sufficient time to recuperate from the losses suffered during the 2008 general election, MCA has been hogging the limelight in recent months for all the wrong reasons.
Behind the backdrop of the internal rivalry between three major personalities — Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai — a new player has emerged to help the party weather the storm.
Hailing from Pahang, Datuk Ti Lian Ker has suddenly found himself with the unenviable task of turning MCA’s think-tank, The Institute of Strategic Analysis & Policy Research (Insap), around.
“Insap and MCA have always engaged with traditional Chinese NGOs. But the last election has shown that working with the traditional NGOs alone is not enough for MCA anymore,” said Ti at his new office on the fifth floor of the MCA headquarters in Jalan Ampang.
But over the years, some of the traditional influence these Chinese guilds and NGOs had over the Chinese voters has eroded due to a growing middle class, explained Ti.
“Fewer and fewer of the more educated and affluent middle class today refer to the traditional NGOs and while MCA pampered these NGOs, the truth is it did not help the party during the last election.
“Worse yet, many people felt that MCA had become elitist by pandering to such groups and this alienated many voters,” he added.
To address the issues, Ti, who was appointed by the MCA central committee to head Insap late last year, plans to revamp the think-tank to be more inclusive.
“The time has come for Insap to have a different approach. Insap needs to engage and hold more dialogues with different segments of society.
Insap should also not restrict itself to Chinese issues and should play a bigger role in explaining government policies to the people, (undertake) thorough studies and conduct forums on issues of national interest, he added.
“Policies such as the goods and services tax (GST) and other government initiatives should be explained properly to the voters. Otherwise, many good policies may suffer due to a lack of understanding.”
Insap was incorporated under then president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik in 1986 and much of its efforts had revolved around the party and traditional Chinese issues such as education and economy.
Besides overseeing media issues, Insap, which only has fewer than half a dozen staff, does periodical surveys for the party.
“Despite the image that MCA is part of the government, the party is largely administered by a small group of staff and volunteers,” said Ti.
“Insap needs to employ more professionals and academics to plan and coordinate more engaging activities.”
Admitting that this was also an MCA problem, the former Teruntum state assemblyman said the party was too entrenched in providing services to the community and had forsaken the need to be more vocal on issues.
“People usually saw MCA as a service centre to deal with bureaucracy, welfare and a facilitator. But the last election has shown us that this is not enough.
“The party needs to be better equipped intellectually and have its own political perspective or philosophy,” said the 47-year-old lawyer by training.
The growing pool of young voters, he added, were more concerned over their rights and freedom as citizens.
But many, he lamented, did not acknowledge the party’s role in shaping major policies of the past such as the New Economic Policy.
“People should realise that MCA is just a component party and is only part of the government. It is not the government per se. The civil service responds to the government, not to the component parties.
“Hence, sometimes there is poor execution of policies. The structure of our Federal Constitution is still race-based. MCA cannot ignore such realities or else it will result in complete anarchy.
“When in Rome, we cannot disregard the Romans,” he said philosophically.
The party, he explained, had awakened to the demands of the electorate and he expected to use Insap to help rebrand the Chinese party.
But the MCA central committee member said restructuring Insap would take time due to the current instability within the party.
“Once the party is more stable, we will try to push the think-tank forward,” he said without giving a timeframe.
http://www.theedgemalaysia.com/political-news/158236-ti-hopes-to-broaden-insap-scope.html
Tags: 2008 General Election | Barisan Nasional | Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek | Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai | Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat | Datuk Ti Lian Ker | Federal Constitution | GST | INSAP | MCA | New Economic Policy
KUALA LUMPUR: These are turbulent times for Barisan Nasional’s (BN) oldest partner MCA.
Even before the Chinese-based party has had sufficient time to recuperate from the losses suffered during the 2008 general election, MCA has been hogging the limelight in recent months for all the wrong reasons.
Behind the backdrop of the internal rivalry between three major personalities — Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai — a new player has emerged to help the party weather the storm.
Hailing from Pahang, Datuk Ti Lian Ker has suddenly found himself with the unenviable task of turning MCA’s think-tank, The Institute of Strategic Analysis & Policy Research (Insap), around.
“Insap and MCA have always engaged with traditional Chinese NGOs. But the last election has shown that working with the traditional NGOs alone is not enough for MCA anymore,” said Ti at his new office on the fifth floor of the MCA headquarters in Jalan Ampang.
But over the years, some of the traditional influence these Chinese guilds and NGOs had over the Chinese voters has eroded due to a growing middle class, explained Ti.
“Fewer and fewer of the more educated and affluent middle class today refer to the traditional NGOs and while MCA pampered these NGOs, the truth is it did not help the party during the last election.
“Worse yet, many people felt that MCA had become elitist by pandering to such groups and this alienated many voters,” he added.
To address the issues, Ti, who was appointed by the MCA central committee to head Insap late last year, plans to revamp the think-tank to be more inclusive.
“The time has come for Insap to have a different approach. Insap needs to engage and hold more dialogues with different segments of society.
Insap should also not restrict itself to Chinese issues and should play a bigger role in explaining government policies to the people, (undertake) thorough studies and conduct forums on issues of national interest, he added.
“Policies such as the goods and services tax (GST) and other government initiatives should be explained properly to the voters. Otherwise, many good policies may suffer due to a lack of understanding.”
Insap was incorporated under then president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik in 1986 and much of its efforts had revolved around the party and traditional Chinese issues such as education and economy.
Besides overseeing media issues, Insap, which only has fewer than half a dozen staff, does periodical surveys for the party.
“Despite the image that MCA is part of the government, the party is largely administered by a small group of staff and volunteers,” said Ti.
“Insap needs to employ more professionals and academics to plan and coordinate more engaging activities.”
Admitting that this was also an MCA problem, the former Teruntum state assemblyman said the party was too entrenched in providing services to the community and had forsaken the need to be more vocal on issues.
“People usually saw MCA as a service centre to deal with bureaucracy, welfare and a facilitator. But the last election has shown us that this is not enough.
“The party needs to be better equipped intellectually and have its own political perspective or philosophy,” said the 47-year-old lawyer by training.
The growing pool of young voters, he added, were more concerned over their rights and freedom as citizens.
But many, he lamented, did not acknowledge the party’s role in shaping major policies of the past such as the New Economic Policy.
“People should realise that MCA is just a component party and is only part of the government. It is not the government per se. The civil service responds to the government, not to the component parties.
“Hence, sometimes there is poor execution of policies. The structure of our Federal Constitution is still race-based. MCA cannot ignore such realities or else it will result in complete anarchy.
“When in Rome, we cannot disregard the Romans,” he said philosophically.
The party, he explained, had awakened to the demands of the electorate and he expected to use Insap to help rebrand the Chinese party.
But the MCA central committee member said restructuring Insap would take time due to the current instability within the party.
“Once the party is more stable, we will try to push the think-tank forward,” he said without giving a timeframe.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Game over for fresh polls
Monday February 1, 2010
KUALA LUMPUR: Observers believe that the faction led by Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai which had pushed for fresh party polls knew it did not have enough support but plodded on to give an impression that it had wide grassroots backing.
Some party insiders observe that the first sign that the MCA vice-president and 12 other central committee members did not have the required support was when they decided to turn the MCA Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) called by them on Nov 28, last year, into a briefing session.
Liow’s faction had declared it had more than 1,300 delegates but a check by party headquarters showed that only about 600 central delegates attended, short of the one-third of the delegates required to pass any resolution at an EGM of the party, the insiders said.
One-third of MCA’s 2,400 central delegates means the number should be about 800 delegates.
Another sign which hinted that the group did not have the required numbers was when it agreed to the formation of the party’s re-election committee headed by party deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek to look at the possibility of having fresh polls.
“By agreeing to that, it means that you are actually showing the card that you don’t have the numbers. If you have the numbers, you would not agree to it (the committee) and would just go ahead with the EGM to pave the way for fresh polls with the adoption of the specific resolution,” one of them said.
It appears that hopes for fresh polls in the MCA are dashed now that the all-powerful central committee (CC) has decided not to have any.
It’s game over for those who had harboured high hopes for this route to be taken to resolve the leadership crisis in the 61-year-old party.
However, technically, fresh polls still can be held if two-thirds of the CC members were to resign, the sentiment for this has somewhat been lost.
It was very simple why the plan stalled – not many CC members were keen to relinquish their lofty positions.
One CC member said that during Friday’s CC meeting, Liow kept arguing that the party should fix the date for fresh polls.
But other CC members noted that the party could not fix a date for fresh polls as the proponents for the move did not have the required number of members to do so.
“The truth is that the party re-election committee said there were not enough numbers of CC members agreeing to resign to push for fresh polls,” said another CC member.
Another CC member, Eng Hiap Boon, said the push for fresh polls had waned, adding that Liow’s group should accept the re-election committee’s findings tabled at Friday’s meeting that there was not enough quorum to call for fresh polls.
“This is a numbers game. If you don’t have the numbers, you can’t have it, that’s all.”
His view was shared by another CC member, Datuk Ti Lian Ker, who said fresh polls were a non-issue from now on because the proponents had not been able to muster enough support.
“The issue is now closed. We can’t allow the party to stand still for most of the time for the pre-condition for fresh polls to be fulfilled. The party needs to move on,” he said.
Datuk Chong Itt Chew, also a CC member, said he noticed that there was also a “split” among the group of the 13 CC members who originally wanted fresh polls as some of them indicated that they wanted to withdraw their undated resignation letters addressed earlier to party secretary-general Datuk Wong Foon Meng.
He said the split surfaced when a call by one of the CC members who had pressed for fresh polls to stage a walk out en masse at the CC meeting on Friday did not receive strong support as only three out of 13 in the faction left the meeting.
Party veteran Datuk Yap Pian Hon said he believed that there was a possibility that Liow may eventually come back and support the party’s leadership after his failed attempt to push for fresh polls.
“I see how he has joined hands with the president (Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat) when the party held a dialogue with Hua Zong (Federation of Chinese Associations, Malaysia) on Friday. Both of them shook hands,” he said.
Yap said Ong had all this while said that “his door is always open to Liow”.
For most of the party leaders and political analysts, the most significant outcome from the CC meeting was not much about the party’s decision not to hold fresh polls but the appointment of new national organising secretary Simon Lim, who is also political secretary to Transport Minister Ong, and Tee Siew Keong, Dr Chua’s former political secretary as deputy national organising secretary.
“The message is very clear that Ong wants to push for direct presidential elections and make the necessary changes to the party constitution. He put the people he trusted most to hold key positions to get this proposal implemented. We can expect that the party election next year is likely to be based on this new system,” he said. – Bernama
Game over for fresh polls
KUALA LUMPUR: Observers believe that the faction led by Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai which had pushed for fresh party polls knew it did not have enough support but plodded on to give an impression that it had wide grassroots backing.
Some party insiders observe that the first sign that the MCA vice-president and 12 other central committee members did not have the required support was when they decided to turn the MCA Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) called by them on Nov 28, last year, into a briefing session.
Liow’s faction had declared it had more than 1,300 delegates but a check by party headquarters showed that only about 600 central delegates attended, short of the one-third of the delegates required to pass any resolution at an EGM of the party, the insiders said.
One-third of MCA’s 2,400 central delegates means the number should be about 800 delegates.
Another sign which hinted that the group did not have the required numbers was when it agreed to the formation of the party’s re-election committee headed by party deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek to look at the possibility of having fresh polls.
“By agreeing to that, it means that you are actually showing the card that you don’t have the numbers. If you have the numbers, you would not agree to it (the committee) and would just go ahead with the EGM to pave the way for fresh polls with the adoption of the specific resolution,” one of them said.
It appears that hopes for fresh polls in the MCA are dashed now that the all-powerful central committee (CC) has decided not to have any.
It’s game over for those who had harboured high hopes for this route to be taken to resolve the leadership crisis in the 61-year-old party.
However, technically, fresh polls still can be held if two-thirds of the CC members were to resign, the sentiment for this has somewhat been lost.
It was very simple why the plan stalled – not many CC members were keen to relinquish their lofty positions.
One CC member said that during Friday’s CC meeting, Liow kept arguing that the party should fix the date for fresh polls.
But other CC members noted that the party could not fix a date for fresh polls as the proponents for the move did not have the required number of members to do so.
“The truth is that the party re-election committee said there were not enough numbers of CC members agreeing to resign to push for fresh polls,” said another CC member.
Another CC member, Eng Hiap Boon, said the push for fresh polls had waned, adding that Liow’s group should accept the re-election committee’s findings tabled at Friday’s meeting that there was not enough quorum to call for fresh polls.
“This is a numbers game. If you don’t have the numbers, you can’t have it, that’s all.”
His view was shared by another CC member, Datuk Ti Lian Ker, who said fresh polls were a non-issue from now on because the proponents had not been able to muster enough support.
“The issue is now closed. We can’t allow the party to stand still for most of the time for the pre-condition for fresh polls to be fulfilled. The party needs to move on,” he said.
Datuk Chong Itt Chew, also a CC member, said he noticed that there was also a “split” among the group of the 13 CC members who originally wanted fresh polls as some of them indicated that they wanted to withdraw their undated resignation letters addressed earlier to party secretary-general Datuk Wong Foon Meng.
He said the split surfaced when a call by one of the CC members who had pressed for fresh polls to stage a walk out en masse at the CC meeting on Friday did not receive strong support as only three out of 13 in the faction left the meeting.
Party veteran Datuk Yap Pian Hon said he believed that there was a possibility that Liow may eventually come back and support the party’s leadership after his failed attempt to push for fresh polls.
“I see how he has joined hands with the president (Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat) when the party held a dialogue with Hua Zong (Federation of Chinese Associations, Malaysia) on Friday. Both of them shook hands,” he said.
Yap said Ong had all this while said that “his door is always open to Liow”.
For most of the party leaders and political analysts, the most significant outcome from the CC meeting was not much about the party’s decision not to hold fresh polls but the appointment of new national organising secretary Simon Lim, who is also political secretary to Transport Minister Ong, and Tee Siew Keong, Dr Chua’s former political secretary as deputy national organising secretary.
“The message is very clear that Ong wants to push for direct presidential elections and make the necessary changes to the party constitution. He put the people he trusted most to hold key positions to get this proposal implemented. We can expect that the party election next year is likely to be based on this new system,” he said. – Bernama
CC looks to put MCA house in order
CC looks to put MCA house in order
2010/01/29
KUALA LUMPUR: Today is a make or break day for MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and his supporters who have been pressuring the party to hold fresh elections to resolve its internal crisis.
The party's powerful central committee, chaired by president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, will be meeting at 11am at the party's headquarters to decide whether to go ahead with Liow's demands.The CC will deliberate on the recommendations made by the committee set up to look into fresh elections.Headed by deputy party president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, the polls committee will report that to date, only 13 elected CC members have offered to quit and the number is insufficient to trigger fresh elections.In the event of fresh elections, it will also leave it to the CC to decide whether it should include the Youth and Wanita wings.This CC meeting is important as it is pivotal in setting the tone for the party's direction.
The CC members are expected to follow the book, meaning the party's constitution will be closely scrutinised and followed in arriving at a decision.According to the party's constitution, fresh elections can only be held if two-thirds of the 21 elected CC members quit. Until and unless the two-thirds majority clause is satisfied, it is unlikely that the CC will be dissolved to make way for fresh elections.With no fresh elections, the party will be able to fully concentrate on wooing back the support of the Chinese community and preparing for the next general election.Many leaders and members are not in favour of fresh elections as they are tired of the crisis, which has affected the party's work.Moreover, its triennial elections are just a year away and they feel it is time for all leaders to buck up and concentrate on their work instead of pursuing their personal agenda. It is a majority view that fresh elections might plunge the party into further chaos as many leaders will be busy jostling for support.Central committee member Datuk Ti Lian Ker is convinced that the CC will not give its nod to fresh elections."The majority of the CC members will not be resigning, so the decision should be obvious. Just because Ong and Dr Chua voiced their support for fresh elections does not mean we will blindly follow their call. We have to look at the bigger picture and take party interests into consideration." He said fresh elections were no longer an issue as members were tired of in-fighting.
"People are more interested to see that the party delivers, and with so many issues at hand fresh elections are the least of the problem.
"If we really wanted fresh elections, Liow would have achieved his objective a long time ago."
2010/01/29
KUALA LUMPUR: Today is a make or break day for MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and his supporters who have been pressuring the party to hold fresh elections to resolve its internal crisis.
The party's powerful central committee, chaired by president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, will be meeting at 11am at the party's headquarters to decide whether to go ahead with Liow's demands.The CC will deliberate on the recommendations made by the committee set up to look into fresh elections.Headed by deputy party president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, the polls committee will report that to date, only 13 elected CC members have offered to quit and the number is insufficient to trigger fresh elections.In the event of fresh elections, it will also leave it to the CC to decide whether it should include the Youth and Wanita wings.This CC meeting is important as it is pivotal in setting the tone for the party's direction.
The CC members are expected to follow the book, meaning the party's constitution will be closely scrutinised and followed in arriving at a decision.According to the party's constitution, fresh elections can only be held if two-thirds of the 21 elected CC members quit. Until and unless the two-thirds majority clause is satisfied, it is unlikely that the CC will be dissolved to make way for fresh elections.With no fresh elections, the party will be able to fully concentrate on wooing back the support of the Chinese community and preparing for the next general election.Many leaders and members are not in favour of fresh elections as they are tired of the crisis, which has affected the party's work.Moreover, its triennial elections are just a year away and they feel it is time for all leaders to buck up and concentrate on their work instead of pursuing their personal agenda. It is a majority view that fresh elections might plunge the party into further chaos as many leaders will be busy jostling for support.Central committee member Datuk Ti Lian Ker is convinced that the CC will not give its nod to fresh elections."The majority of the CC members will not be resigning, so the decision should be obvious. Just because Ong and Dr Chua voiced their support for fresh elections does not mean we will blindly follow their call. We have to look at the bigger picture and take party interests into consideration." He said fresh elections were no longer an issue as members were tired of in-fighting.
"People are more interested to see that the party delivers, and with so many issues at hand fresh elections are the least of the problem.
"If we really wanted fresh elections, Liow would have achieved his objective a long time ago."
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