Outside interference akin to ‘political godfather’ culture, says Ti
By Shazwan Mustafa KamalKUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 — MCA central committee member Datuk Ti Lian Ker said there should be no "political godfather" culture in the party where party leaders turn to other component parties for support.
"There should be no culture of this sort from within the party, where certain individuals continually subvert and undermine the party's agenda, purely because they have the comfort of crying to their political godfather outside the party."
This was in response to the Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's comment from Rome expressing the possibility of Umno intervening in MCA's on-going leadership crisis.
"We appreciate the DPM's concern, but at the same time we would like to see to the party's internal affairs ourselves in order to stabilise the party," said Ti, who is also MCA liaison bureau chief.
Ti, a staunch supporter of MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, feels that the "perception" of outside interference will further damage the integrity of the party.
"When other BN component parties have internal problems, they don't let other parties step in to solve their problems. MCA , as of late, seems to be orchestrating a scenario to justify external interference," said Ti.
He also hit out at MCA Youth chief Datuk Wee Ka Siong and Wanita chief Datuk Paduka Chew Mei Fun for dramatising as well as distorting the “reshuffling” of the presidential council.
"The presidential council is merely a body responsible for the administration of the affairs of the party. The media has been misled into making headlines that appear as if the GUP (Greater Unity Plan) has failed, or there are abuses or wrongdoings."
He added that the usage of expressions such as "burn", "chop" and "slash" to describe the removal of several MCA leaders from the presidential council is incorrect as the issue does not exist. The president simply needed to appoint people whom he deemed fit to implement the GUP, a team which does not undermine the MCA leadership.
"This is nothing but political drama. I can testify that Wee Ka Siong and Chew Mei Fun were happily giving their views, smiling and laughing throughout the CC meeting, which has been the best CC meeting after the recent EGM.
"They were present, and had the right to seek clarification and not go to the media and put on theatrics and accuse the leadership of wrongdoings. They resorted to the drama of breaking down and crying in public," said Ti, who appeared quite emotional himself.
He asserted that despite the reshuffle, the Wanita and Youth wings are still adequately represented.
He urged component BN parties not to encourage "street political culture" and to emulate Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's stand on the matter.
"I hope that whatever the external decisions, component leaders should emulate the Prime Minister's leadership values of checking, seeking explanation before making statements perceived to be undermining the leadership of MCA."
Ironically, the prime minister himself just stated today that he will in fact step in and meet party leaders individually, after describing the leadership tussle in the party as "worse" and "more serious."
He also said that many people were upset with the party and this does go well with Barisan's attempt to resuscitate the coalition and reform its image in the eyes of the public.
Najib's statement echoes Muhyiddin's, an indication that Umno is growing weary of MCA's internal bickering.
Ong yesterday dropped Wee, Chew and seven others aligned to vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai from the party's presidential council.
Ong's decision to drop Liow's supporters has plunged the party deeper into crisis with a disputed EGM looming.
The party president replaced Liow's men on the presidential council with supporters of Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, reflecting a deal between the two men to fill the party appointments with leaders aligned either with Ong or Dr Chua.
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