Five EGM resolutions to oust Ong, return Chua

As sacked MCA deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek's supporters scramble to push for an extraordinary general meeting, speculation is rife as to what the demands are in the resolutions.

However, the supporters are remaining tightlipped about the contents, fearing that if revealed, their rivals could sabotage their plans.

It is learned that MCA central delegates must sign the resolutions in particular places in front of lawyers and Justices of Peace and return the resolutions immediately. This is to ensure that there will be no disputes or retractions.

Yesterday, veteran MCA leader Tan Choi Ho, who has been named as one of the main coordinators for the EGM, only revealed two of the five resolutions.

This includes calling for the revocation of the presidential council's decision to sack Chua and reinstate him as deputy president.

The five resolutions

However, the Chine press have managed to dig up all five resolutions. These are:

1. Central delegates to move a no-confidence vote against MCA president Ong Tee Keat.

2. Revoke presidential council's and central committee's (if any) decisions to sack Chua.

3. Demand the reinstatement of Chua as MCA deputy president.

4. Reject any appointments made by the central committee for party posts, including that of deputy president, before the EGM.

5. Reject complaints and disciplinary action against those calling for the EGM.

Resolutions 3 and 4 have been added to prevent Ong's faction from appointing another candidate for the number two post.

The leading candidate to fill up the vacant slot is vice-president Liow Tiong Lai, who is a staunch supporter of Ong. Liow is also the health minister.

The fifth resolution is to prevent the president's faction from embarking on a witch-hunt against the dissidents.

'President failed to unite party'

Besides the resolutions, the support letter for the EGM also stated 'five main reasons' why the meeting should be held. These are:

1. The president is incompetent in providing the right direction for MCA and carrying out reforms.

2. The president has failed to unite the party and is unable to lead and manage MCA.

3. The president has not portrayed himself as a model for party unity. Instead, his actions have dampened the spirit and morale of party members.

4. Chua had given up all government and party positions (previously) to prevent the party's image from being tainted (when his sex scandal was exposed). Despite this, the central delegates elected him as deputy president during the 2008 party elections and their choice must be respected.

5. According to sections 30.3 and 31 of the party constitution, central delegates have the right to call for an EGM. Hence, the disciplinary board, central committee and presidential council cannot take punitive action against those who do so.

Confident of getting 800 signatures

Chua's supporters are confident that they will get at least one third or 800 of the central delegates to support the EGM. This is the minimum requirement stipulated by the constitution.

They are actually aiming to get at least half of the 2,400 delegates to support the EGM as a show of force and to pressure Ong into giving in and even possibly resigning before the EGM.

However to remove Ong, they need to secure the support of at least two-third of the delegates, which is considered a difficult task given the fact that the president still controls the party apparatuses.

Chua had been a popular MCA leader who touched base with many local leaders during his tenure as vice-president and health minister.

It is said that Chua's faction has the lead in Johor, Selangor, Perak and Penang. But this has been dismissed by their rivals.

Team A vs Team B revisited

Chua also has the backing of party veterans who are mostly aligned to former presidents Dr Ling Liong Sik and Ong Ka Ting, known as Team A who fought against Team B led by former MCA deputy presidents Lim Ah Lek and Chan Kong Choy. Tee Keat was a member of Team B.

While Ling (right) is openly supporting Chua, Ka Ting however has remained mum although his brother Ka Chuan, a former minister, is said to be backing Chua despite being defeated by him for deputy presidency last year.

Political analysts have dubbed Chua's challenge against Ong as being reminiscent of the 2001 Team A versus Team B battle. Chua is seen as the central figure in reuniting the former Team A members.

While the crisis rages on, Chua has reportedly gone to Bangkok for a 'vacation'. The Chinese press state that once the EGM has been finalised, he will be back in full battle gear.

He is expected to return tomorrow when his supporters present the EGM petition to the party's secretary-general.

According to the MCA constitution, once the one-third requirement is fulfilled, the secretary-general must send out the notice for the EGM within five days while the meeting must be convened within a month.

This will probably be towards the end of September, just ahead of MCA's annual general meeting slated for Oct 11.