MCA president Ong Tee Keat said his decision to call for an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) was to prevent a split in the party.

The delegates could decide whether to support or reject the resolutions for the party at the ballot box, he said in his blog today.

"After the last ballot is counted and a verdict reached, the party can return to its rejuvenation and renewal process, with little impact to the MCA," he said.

NONEOng, who is facing the prospect of a rival EGM being called by sacked deputy president Chua Soi Lek, hit out at the campaign to collect signatures from delegates.

"Going round the country collecting signatures from delegates to call for an EGM means forcing them to make a stance. If they sign, that means they are in support of a particular leader and if they don't, that means they are backing another one.

"This is unhealthy at a time when MCA is undergoing a healing process after last year's general election. I also hear of cases where delegates were coerced or forced to sign," he added.

Chua gets 800 signs

Ong said "certain quarters" were trying to confuse members and the public over the EGM and "perpetrating a rift in the MCA to achieve their selfish agendas".

Party secretary Wong Foon Meng had asked delegates to propose agendas by tomorrow to prepare for the EGM to be held by Sept 30.

Chua said yesterday that he had amassed more than the required 800 signatures to move for a rival EGM.

His supporters had said that the EGM would seek to reverse his sacking and to reinstate him to his former position.

Chua was expelled from the party last week upon recommendation by the disciplinary board for tarnishing the party's image following his sex video scandal.

- Bernama