A nationwide campaign is now underway to seek the MCA central delegate's approval to convene an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to oust party president Ong Tee Keat within two weeks.

NONELed by maverick party member Theng Bok (left), the ad-hoc group's main agenda for the EGM is the reinstatement of sacked party deputy chief Dr Chua Soi Lek into the party and call for a vote of no-confidence against Ong.

At a press conference in Petaling Jaya this afternoon, Theng said the group will travel nationwide to canvass for a third of the total central delegates to call for the EGM.

"We need about 800 signatures to hold the EGM... under the party constitution, the party secretary-general doesn't have to endorse it," said Theng.

Earlier, Theng and some 20 supporters made a V-sign with their fingers to symbolise the two-week deadline.

He said the presidential council's decision to sack Chua last night was in total disrespect of the wishes of the party delegates who had democratically voted the latter as party deputy president.

Prove it or leave

He rubbished claims by the disciplinary committee that Chua had brought disrepute to the party, adding that it was rather Ong's recent actions that had brought down the party image and cited three examples:

  • That RM100 million was being raised by Ong's enemies to topple him
  • Ong's claims that there are triad infiltration in Johor MCA (Chua's stronghold)
  • For acting like a ‘hero' in the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) controversy.

"Where is the proof?" said Theng of the RM100 million claim.

NONETheng also challenged Ong to prove his claim that triads had infiltrated Johor MCA, failing which he should apologise.

"He must show proof or else he has become the ‘leader' of these (alleged) triad people in Johor, by default as he is the MCA president," added Theng.

On the PKFZ controversy, Theng said there was no need to use the issue for political mileage as it was Ong's duty as Transport Minister to investigate the matter.

‘Members have forgiven Chua'

NONEMeanwhile, Ampang MCA division deputy chairperson Loo Tak Ming (left) said it was a "very wrong move" for the presidential council to sack Chua.

"Whatever (Chua) did in the past has already been forgiven by party delegates in the party elections (last October). The decision is very unfair to Chua and party members.

"The past is the past. Why are they still persecuting him? I hope the party delegates will now send a strong message to the party president," said Loo.

Similarly, Petaling Jaya Utara division secretary Dr Wong Sai Hou urged the party leadership to respect the decision made by party delegates during the party elections.

Chua was sacked last night after the presidential council endorsed a recommendation by the disciplinary committee which probed complaints that he had tarnished the party image by being involved in a sex scandal.

In January last year, Chua resigned from all party and government posts after a DVD showing him engaged in sexual intercourse with an unknown woman was widely circulated.

Growing support for Chua

NONEHowever, Chua made a triumphant return to political areana nine months later during the party polls, only to be sidelined by Ong.

In a related development, six MCA divisions in Johor announced that they will be filing complaints to the disciplinary committee over four issues:

  • Suspending Ong as party president, pending investigations that he had received RM10 million from tycoon Tiong King Sing
  • To investigate allegations that Tiong had donated RM10 million to Ong
  • To investigate Ong's allegation that RM100 million was raised to topple him
  • Review the decision to sack Chua.

Former Johor MCA deputy chairperson Tee Siew Keong said the six division will also be endorsing any efforts to "save the party" but stopped short of endorsing an EGM.

A similar call was made by six divisions in Perak last week while several MCA reps from Penang are expected to follow suit later today.