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."