In what can be construed as a 'stern reminder' to all quarters, including Umno, not to meddle in MCA's affairs, president Ong Tee Keat said it is the all-powerful central committee which could decide on holding a fresh elections.

NONE"Any fresh polls has to be decided by the MCA CC, whose members must first vacate their seats," he told Malaysiakini via SMS.

"Any time line proposed is merely exploratory. Any announcement of a date for a fresh polls by anybody at this juncture is disrespectful of the CC and party constitution," he added.

Ong, who is also transport minister, is currently in London attending an international maritime conference.

The embattled president stressed that it is vital for the CC to make a decision on the fresh polls as it concerns "upholding the party's dignity and constitution."

"Any proposal on the time line also needs the approval of the CC," he added.

This afternoon, vice-president Liow Tiong Lai's faction announced that it is calling off the extraordinary general meeting slated for this Saturday.

The decision follows a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and Liow’s faction as well as Dr Chua Soi Lek last night.

Ong was not present at the meeting, where it is believed that both the factions reached a consensus on the date for a fresh elections.

Chua agrees with Ong

Ong's deputy Dr Chua Soi Lek echoed his views, adding that the party constitution stipulated that fresh polls can only occur if two-thirds of the central committee resigned.

chua soi lek pc after bagan bn meeting 251109 01He hoped that all party leaders and the central committee member would be able to seriously discuss proposals for fresh polls.

"I hope that all party leaders, based on their love for the party, would be able to discuss the matter with respect and cooperation to fulfill the central committee's agenda for fresh elections," he said in a statement.

This afternoon, vice-president Liow Tiong Lai's faction announced that it was calling off the extraordinary general meeting slated for this Saturday.

The decision followed a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and Liow's faction as well as Chua last night.

AGM still on as of now, says sec-gen

Liow's faction said they believe the party's annual general assembly on Dec 5 would be postponed to accommodate fresh party polls.

Meanwhile, party secretary-general Wong Foon Meng said the Dec 5 AGM will proceed as planned as no directive for a postponement has been given to him.

"When the three leaders, Ong, Chua and Liow, come to consensus on the new date, they will give the instruction to the secretariat and we will make the necessary preparation," he said when contacted.

Asked if the AGM will have to be postponed to next year, he said the party constitution requires the AGM to be held before Dec 31 of each year.

"If the new date is after Dec 31, we must then consult ROS about the requirement," he added.

Umno has grown impatient

Observers noted that Ong’s insistence on having the CC decide on the date, shows that the president wants to remain in control of the situation instead of letting an outside force call the shots.

If the polls are postponed to a later period, it would allow the president to consolidate his position.

However, Umno which has been observing the crisis from a distance for several months, has grown impatient.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is also Barisan Nasional chairperson, recently remarked that the Chinese community's confidence in MCA has eroded.

If not checked, he warned, the problems in the coalition’s second largest party would affect BN as a whole.

Following this, Muhyiddin was tasked with stopping the rot.

The crisis in MCA, which has witnessed friends turning foes and foes turning friends, has led some to liken it to the famous Chinese epic 'Romance of the three Kingdoms' while others wonder if the squabbling politicians are worthy of such a comparison.