MCA crisis: PM won't step in unless invited
Rahmah GhazaliPublished: Aug 27, 2009 5:10 PM | Updated: Aug 28, 2009 11:46 AM
Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today said he will not interfere in the internal matters of MCA unless he is invited to act as an intermediary.
Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today said he will not interfere in the internal matters of MCA unless he is invited to act as an intermediary.
The premier said this when asked to comment on the MCA presidential council's decision to sack party deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek last night.
Najib said MCA should solve the crisis on its own, and the only thing he had told MCA president Ong Tee Keat is that the matter should not affect Barisan Nasional.
"My only concern as BN chairperson is to ensure that whatever action taken by the individual parties do not affect the whole interest of BN.
"That is the only point I put across to the MCA president that it is within his right or purview to decide what decision to take but please take into account the impact on BN's interests," he added.
Najib said he was briefed on the sacking by Ong and two vice-presidents.
He also said that Chua's position as coordinator for the ruling coalition would be decided at a later date.
Was it personal?
Meanwhile, Najib also dismissed speculations that he had tried to convince Ong to reconsider his decision last night.
"Don't believe in whatever you hear. The important thing is that I operate on the basis of principles," he said.
It was rumoured that the presidential council meeting had dragged on for nearly five hours because the premier had intervened.
Najib said there will be no BN meeting in the immediate future in order to resolve the crisis that hit the second largest component party, because he is already "keeping track of the development."
He also advised the party to handle the matter swiftly to avoid any negative impacts on the ruling coalition.
"The more quickly they fix this matter, the better," he said.
However, the premier clammed up when asked if the sacking involved 'something personal' between Ong and Chua.
"We want a strong MCA that can represent the aspirations of the Chinese community. That is where BN's interests lie," he said.
The premier said this when asked to comment on the MCA presidential council's decision to sack party deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek last night.
Najib said MCA should solve the crisis on its own, and the only thing he had told MCA president Ong Tee Keat is that the matter should not affect Barisan Nasional."My only concern as BN chairperson is to ensure that whatever action taken by the individual parties do not affect the whole interest of BN.
"That is the only point I put across to the MCA president that it is within his right or purview to decide what decision to take but please take into account the impact on BN's interests," he added.
Najib said he was briefed on the sacking by Ong and two vice-presidents.
He also said that Chua's position as coordinator for the ruling coalition would be decided at a later date.
Was it personal?
Meanwhile, Najib also dismissed speculations that he had tried to convince Ong to reconsider his decision last night.
"Don't believe in whatever you hear. The important thing is that I operate on the basis of principles," he said.
It was rumoured that the presidential council meeting had dragged on for nearly five hours because the premier had intervened.
Najib said there will be no BN meeting in the immediate future in order to resolve the crisis that hit the second largest component party, because he is already "keeping track of the development."
He also advised the party to handle the matter swiftly to avoid any negative impacts on the ruling coalition.
"The more quickly they fix this matter, the better," he said.However, the premier clammed up when asked if the sacking involved 'something personal' between Ong and Chua.
"We want a strong MCA that can represent the aspirations of the Chinese community. That is where BN's interests lie," he said.
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