Deal struck - MCA to hold a single EGM
Kuek Ser Kuang KengPublished: Sep 14, 2009 1:37 PM | Updated: Sep 14, 2009 2:27 PM
The two warring factions in MCA today agreed to hold a single extraordinary general meeting (EGM) as a way to solve the party's internal crisis.
The two warring factions in MCA today agreed to hold a single extraordinary general meeting (EGM) as a way to solve the party's internal crisis.
The factions - one belonging to party president Ong Tee Keat and the other to sacked deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek - agreed with the joint EGM after a meeting which lasted almost five hours today.
The date for the EGM will be decided by secretary-general Wong Foon Meng.
Previously Ong had instructed Wong to convene an EGM on Aug 31 to discuss issues relating to the sacking of Chua and the Port Klang Free Zone project. Just before that Chua himself had called for an EGM to discuss his sacking from the party.
"The meeting today was conducted amicably and the party president has agreed to adopt, in toto, the motions proposed by the requisitionists - that is, all five motions proposed by Chua's camp," said Wong in a statement issued after the meeting which was held at party headquarters in Jalan Ampang.
The meeting was attended by three representatives from both parties.
Chua's camp was represented by Tan Chai Ho, Loh Seng Kok and Chong Itt Chew while Ong was represented by Chai Kim Sen, Gan Ping Sieu and Simon Lim.
"Both sides have had a very fruitful discussion towards the end of holding one joint EGM.
"In the best interest of the party, the meeting unanimously agreed to exclude debates and speeches during the EGM. Both sides agreed to appoint one chief scrutineer and eight scrutineers respectively," added Wong.
He also said that both the parties agreed that no new speaker will be elected to chair the meeting. Instead the present speaker Yik Phooi Hong shall conduct the EGM, with Hoo Seong Chang and Lee Pit Chern acting as deputy speakers.
Chua is barred from attending
Wong said that after he had decided on the date for the EGM, he will inform representatives from both parties about it.
"I will send out the notice of EGM on Sept 16 pursuant to Article 30.1 and 30.3 of the party constitution," he added.
However Wong told reporters that Chua will not be allowed to attend the EGM as he is no longer a member following his sacking.
"As long as there is no decision made by central committee or EGM (to reverse the sacking), he will remain as a non-member," he said.
Party president Ong's representative Gan meanwhile revealed that the meeting very nearly ended in a deadlock with both parties failing to come to a compromise.
But Gan said he managed to explain the situation to Ong who had then agreed to withdraw his proposed resolution for the EGM and instead let the five resolutions put forward by Chua's camp to be debated by the delegates.
Gan said Ong decided to put aside his motions due to the larger interest of the party.
"The president believed that the central delegates will participate and decide rationally in the EGM," said Gan.
A win-win situation
Both sides agreed that the outcome of the meeting today was a win-win situation for all.
For the record, Chua's five resolutions are:
1. A resolution of no confidence in Ong's leadership.
2. That the decision to sack Chua from the party on Aug 26 be annulled.
3. That Chua be reinstated as MCA deputy president.
4. That any appointment to party posts between now and the holding of the EGM be revoked.
5. That any disciplinary action against any of the requisitionist be revoked.
The parties at the meeting today agreed that these resolutions are voted separately.
The factions - one belonging to party president Ong Tee Keat and the other to sacked deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek - agreed with the joint EGM after a meeting which lasted almost five hours today.
The date for the EGM will be decided by secretary-general Wong Foon Meng.Previously Ong had instructed Wong to convene an EGM on Aug 31 to discuss issues relating to the sacking of Chua and the Port Klang Free Zone project. Just before that Chua himself had called for an EGM to discuss his sacking from the party.
"The meeting today was conducted amicably and the party president has agreed to adopt, in toto, the motions proposed by the requisitionists - that is, all five motions proposed by Chua's camp," said Wong in a statement issued after the meeting which was held at party headquarters in Jalan Ampang.
The meeting was attended by three representatives from both parties.
Chua's camp was represented by Tan Chai Ho, Loh Seng Kok and Chong Itt Chew while Ong was represented by Chai Kim Sen, Gan Ping Sieu and Simon Lim.
"Both sides have had a very fruitful discussion towards the end of holding one joint EGM.
"In the best interest of the party, the meeting unanimously agreed to exclude debates and speeches during the EGM. Both sides agreed to appoint one chief scrutineer and eight scrutineers respectively," added Wong.
He also said that both the parties agreed that no new speaker will be elected to chair the meeting. Instead the present speaker Yik Phooi Hong shall conduct the EGM, with Hoo Seong Chang and Lee Pit Chern acting as deputy speakers.
Chua is barred from attending
Wong said that after he had decided on the date for the EGM, he will inform representatives from both parties about it.
"I will send out the notice of EGM on Sept 16 pursuant to Article 30.1 and 30.3 of the party constitution," he added.
However Wong told reporters that Chua will not be allowed to attend the EGM as he is no longer a member following his sacking.
"As long as there is no decision made by central committee or EGM (to reverse the sacking), he will remain as a non-member," he said.Party president Ong's representative Gan meanwhile revealed that the meeting very nearly ended in a deadlock with both parties failing to come to a compromise.
But Gan said he managed to explain the situation to Ong who had then agreed to withdraw his proposed resolution for the EGM and instead let the five resolutions put forward by Chua's camp to be debated by the delegates.
Gan said Ong decided to put aside his motions due to the larger interest of the party.
"The president believed that the central delegates will participate and decide rationally in the EGM," said Gan.
A win-win situation
Both sides agreed that the outcome of the meeting today was a win-win situation for all.
For the record, Chua's five resolutions are:
1. A resolution of no confidence in Ong's leadership.
2. That the decision to sack Chua from the party on Aug 26 be annulled.
3. That Chua be reinstated as MCA deputy president.
4. That any appointment to party posts between now and the holding of the EGM be revoked.
5. That any disciplinary action against any of the requisitionist be revoked.
The parties at the meeting today agreed that these resolutions are voted separately.
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