'Najib not delaying MCA meet'
Lee Weng KeatPublished: Aug 12, 2009 5:13 AM | Updated: Aug 12, 2009 5:19 AM
Rumours have been swirling within MCA that Barisan Nasional (BN) chairperson and premier Najib Abdul Razak are not on the same page over the party’s annual general assembly, usually held by Aug 31.
Rumours have been swirling within MCA that Barisan Nasional (BN) chairperson and premier Najib Abdul Razak are not on the same page over the party’s annual general assembly, usually held by Aug 31.
Many have seen this as a sign of Najib’s displeasure with MCA president Ong Tee Keat, over the latter’s public squabbles with deputy Dr Chua Soi Lek.
When contacted this morning, however, Najib’s press secretary Tengku Sarifuddin Tengku Ahmad Najib’s dismissed the speculation.
He said the premier’s office had received MCA’s invitation at the end of last month, stating that the AGM will be held on Oct 11.
Tengku Sarifuddin confirmed that Najib will be available on that date to open the AGM, as is traditionally done for the annual meetings of all BN component parties.
Much of the talk over the ‘postponement’ of the AGM had centred on the sex-tape scandal that has dogged Chua since 2007.
Najib had appointed Chua as BN coordinator following the ruling coalition’s massive losses in the last general election, despite the obvious friction between the top MCA duo.
The party’s decision to re-open an inquiry into the scandal was said to have riled up Najib, who has reportedly raised the matter with Ong on several occasions.
Najib’s apparent silence on opening the AGM by Aug 31 was therefore seen by political commentators as a subtle way to force MCA to drop disciplinary charges against Chua or, at very least, a sedulous act to pressure and embarrass Ong.
‘Rare situation’
Several MCA leaders said they have yet to receive notices to attend the assembly, while secretary-general Wong Foon Meng said Najib has yet to confirm attendance.
A party leader described the situation as “rare”, since the assembly date can usually be finalised well before August.
Sources had claimed that much of the organisational tasks, such as the printing of leaflets, production of videos, have had to be put on hold.
According to the party constitution, the annual general assembly must be held before Aug 31. However, the president has the prerogative to postpone it to a date not later than Dec 31 of the same year.
Branches hold their annual general assembly in March or April, and divisions in May or June, followed by states in July.
If the central general assembly is postponed the Youth and Wanita assemblies will also be affected. Both are held a day before the central assembly.
What had lent credence to the speculation was that Gerakan, another BN component party, has secured its annual assembly date on Nov 1.
Umno, meanwhile, had recently notified the media that its annual assembly will be from Oct 13-16.
Many have seen this as a sign of Najib’s displeasure with MCA president Ong Tee Keat, over the latter’s public squabbles with deputy Dr Chua Soi Lek.When contacted this morning, however, Najib’s press secretary Tengku Sarifuddin Tengku Ahmad Najib’s dismissed the speculation.
He said the premier’s office had received MCA’s invitation at the end of last month, stating that the AGM will be held on Oct 11.
Tengku Sarifuddin confirmed that Najib will be available on that date to open the AGM, as is traditionally done for the annual meetings of all BN component parties.
Much of the talk over the ‘postponement’ of the AGM had centred on the sex-tape scandal that has dogged Chua since 2007.
Najib had appointed Chua as BN coordinator following the ruling coalition’s massive losses in the last general election, despite the obvious friction between the top MCA duo.
The party’s decision to re-open an inquiry into the scandal was said to have riled up Najib, who has reportedly raised the matter with Ong on several occasions.Najib’s apparent silence on opening the AGM by Aug 31 was therefore seen by political commentators as a subtle way to force MCA to drop disciplinary charges against Chua or, at very least, a sedulous act to pressure and embarrass Ong.
‘Rare situation’
Several MCA leaders said they have yet to receive notices to attend the assembly, while secretary-general Wong Foon Meng said Najib has yet to confirm attendance.
A party leader described the situation as “rare”, since the assembly date can usually be finalised well before August.
Sources had claimed that much of the organisational tasks, such as the printing of leaflets, production of videos, have had to be put on hold.
According to the party constitution, the annual general assembly must be held before Aug 31. However, the president has the prerogative to postpone it to a date not later than Dec 31 of the same year.Branches hold their annual general assembly in March or April, and divisions in May or June, followed by states in July.
If the central general assembly is postponed the Youth and Wanita assemblies will also be affected. Both are held a day before the central assembly.
What had lent credence to the speculation was that Gerakan, another BN component party, has secured its annual assembly date on Nov 1.
Umno, meanwhile, had recently notified the media that its annual assembly will be from Oct 13-16.
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