New twist: Cracks in Liow-Ong ties
In another twist to the MCA saga - Liow Tiong Lai, who was appointed party deputy president less than three hours ago, appears to be at loggerheads with his boss, Ong Tee Keat.
At a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, the health minister indicated that he was against the idea of holding fresh party elections as suggested by Ong.
“The central committee has discussed this, but most of us do not agree.”
liow tiong lai pc 151009 03Until yesterday, Liow was considered a strong ally of the embattled president, who has earlier today invoked his presidential powers to call for an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to be held within 30 days.
Ong ordered MCA secretary-general Wong Foon Meng to convene an EGM following opposition from central committee members, who met this afternoon, to the proposal of fresh elections to solve the debilitating party crisis.
Liow acknowledged that it was the president's right to call for the EGM under article 30.1 of the party constitution.
However, he quickly added that “the resolution must follow the party constitution”, suggesting that the party polls proposal may violate the MCA constitution.
It's now CC members vs Ong
According to Liow, two-thirds of the 42-member central committee must first resign before fresh leadership polls could be called.
"But most of the CC members are against new elections," said the new deputy chief. “We respect the president's decision... but we think there is a better way."
He however refused to elaborate on what would be the “better way”.
Liow however said that the central committee would give the party boss some time to mull over his decision.
“We give some time to the president to think of a way to strengthen the party... he should look into the resolution again.. . and think of the best way to unite the party.”
mca supporter gather for ong tee keat 151009 ong shake hands 02When questioned about whether the central committee discussed Ong's resignation, he said, “I think I better end the press conference now.”
He added: “It is my duty to talk about my new appointment but for the rest, let the party decide.”
When pressed further, he denied that the central committee had pressured Ong to step down at today's meeting.
It is expected that many central committee members, especially top party leaders, would not relish another election, especially when they were elected only a year ago. Some are worried that they may not be able to retain their posts.
Before Liow's press conference, he had a brief meeting with two other MCA vice-presidents, Kong Cho Ha and Ng Yen Yen.
While they were not with Liow at the press conference, another key MCA leader - Youth chief Wee Ka Siong - sat together with the newly-minted deputy chief as he spoke to journalists.
The four are all political heavyweights who have much to lose should there be fresh elections - Liow, Kong and Ng are ministers, while Wee is a deputy minister.
Liow thanks Kong for opting out
Liow also said that he would pursue his duty as deputy president with a “heavy heart” and vowed to help “consolidate the party's strength and push for more reforms in order to rejuvenate MCA”.
He also thanked MCA vice-president Kong for his full support, “which enabled me to be elected as deputy president unopposed.”
Kong, who was the highest vote-getter in the vice-presidential race last year, has declined the deputy post.
There were rumours of a secret dinner rendezvous between Liow and Kong earlier this week. However, Liow has refused to comment on the alleged meeting.
In another twist to the MCA saga - Liow Tiong Lai, who was appointed party deputy president less than three hours ago, appears to be at loggerheads with his boss, Ong Tee Keat.
At a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, the health minister indicated that he was against the idea of holding fresh party elections as suggested by Ong.
“The central committee has discussed this, but most of us do not agree.”
liow tiong lai pc 151009 03Until yesterday, Liow was considered a strong ally of the embattled president, who has earlier today invoked his presidential powers to call for an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to be held within 30 days.
Ong ordered MCA secretary-general Wong Foon Meng to convene an EGM following opposition from central committee members, who met this afternoon, to the proposal of fresh elections to solve the debilitating party crisis.
Liow acknowledged that it was the president's right to call for the EGM under article 30.1 of the party constitution.
However, he quickly added that “the resolution must follow the party constitution”, suggesting that the party polls proposal may violate the MCA constitution.
It's now CC members vs Ong
According to Liow, two-thirds of the 42-member central committee must first resign before fresh leadership polls could be called.
"But most of the CC members are against new elections," said the new deputy chief. “We respect the president's decision... but we think there is a better way."
He however refused to elaborate on what would be the “better way”.
Liow however said that the central committee would give the party boss some time to mull over his decision.
“We give some time to the president to think of a way to strengthen the party... he should look into the resolution again.. . and think of the best way to unite the party.”
mca supporter gather for ong tee keat 151009 ong shake hands 02When questioned about whether the central committee discussed Ong's resignation, he said, “I think I better end the press conference now.”
He added: “It is my duty to talk about my new appointment but for the rest, let the party decide.”
When pressed further, he denied that the central committee had pressured Ong to step down at today's meeting.
It is expected that many central committee members, especially top party leaders, would not relish another election, especially when they were elected only a year ago. Some are worried that they may not be able to retain their posts.
Before Liow's press conference, he had a brief meeting with two other MCA vice-presidents, Kong Cho Ha and Ng Yen Yen.
While they were not with Liow at the press conference, another key MCA leader - Youth chief Wee Ka Siong - sat together with the newly-minted deputy chief as he spoke to journalists.
The four are all political heavyweights who have much to lose should there be fresh elections - Liow, Kong and Ng are ministers, while Wee is a deputy minister.
Liow thanks Kong for opting out
Liow also said that he would pursue his duty as deputy president with a “heavy heart” and vowed to help “consolidate the party's strength and push for more reforms in order to rejuvenate MCA”.
He also thanked MCA vice-president Kong for his full support, “which enabled me to be elected as deputy president unopposed.”
Kong, who was the highest vote-getter in the vice-presidential race last year, has declined the deputy post.
There were rumours of a secret dinner rendezvous between Liow and Kong earlier this week. However, Liow has refused to comment on the alleged meeting.
Source: MalaysiaKini
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