No fresh polls for now, Liow disappointed
Andrew OngPublished: Jan 5, 2010 8:44 AM | Updated: Jan 6, 2010 1:14 AM
MCA deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek today announced that the party would not witness fresh polls in the immediate future, hitting the brakes on the thrust by vice-president Liow Tiong Lai and his supporters.
MCA deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek today announced that the party would not witness fresh polls in the immediate future, hitting the brakes on the thrust by vice-president Liow Tiong Lai and his supporters.
The reason for this is because the constitutional requirement for two-thirds of the central committee (CC) members to resign in order to pave the way for a contest could not be obtained.
Currently, only 13 CC members have submitted undated resignation letters, falling short of the 21 needed.
However, Chua did not rule out the possibility of a fresh elections in the near future if more CC members resign in the coming months.
"In simple terms, it is very difficult to hold fresh polls this month," he said after chairing an hour-long meeting by the special committee formed to oversee the matter at the MCA headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
Liow’s faction had hoped to ride on the wave of discontent against president Ong Tee Keat's leadership during the fresh polls.
Backed by the women's wing chief Chew Mei Fun and youth chief Wee Ka Siong, Liow's faction set a 60-day deadline which began in early December to call for fresh polls, purportedly to "save the party" which had endured four months of infighting.
Some CC members felt 'pressured'
Additionally, the special committee did not decide if the fresh polls should also include the women and youth wings as well.
Due to conflicting legal opinions, Chua said it would be best for the CC to decide on this matter.
He stressed that despite the stalemate, the public should not conclude that fresh polls would not be held because more CC members might resign.
"Some have expressed that they don't want to be pressured by a timetable set by certain quarters. They want to have their own say," he said.
To a question, Chua was non-committal as to whether he would resign.
The former health minister said he would make an announcement "when the time comes" while stressing that he had always maintained the need for fresh polls to be held.
Liow disappointed, but optimistic
In an immediate reaction, Liow, who is also part of the special committee, told reporters that he was disappointed with the lack of urgency among the CC members.
He said the CC previously agreed on the need for fresh polls and there should not be any delay as this would have an impact on the Chinese community and the party.
"Since we have decided to have re-election there is no reason to ponder too long. That is what I reiterated to this meeting. We want the CC to take this seriously and make a decision as soon as possible," he said.
On an optimistic note, Liow said Chua had revealed that there were other CC members who have indicated their wish to resign, but would only do so in February or later.
"Let's work on them first and see how it goes," he said, when asked if he would take other measures to force the fresh polls such as conducting a signature campaign.
The reason for this is because the constitutional requirement for two-thirds of the central committee (CC) members to resign in order to pave the way for a contest could not be obtained.
Currently, only 13 CC members have submitted undated resignation letters, falling short of the 21 needed.However, Chua did not rule out the possibility of a fresh elections in the near future if more CC members resign in the coming months.
"In simple terms, it is very difficult to hold fresh polls this month," he said after chairing an hour-long meeting by the special committee formed to oversee the matter at the MCA headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
Liow’s faction had hoped to ride on the wave of discontent against president Ong Tee Keat's leadership during the fresh polls.
Backed by the women's wing chief Chew Mei Fun and youth chief Wee Ka Siong, Liow's faction set a 60-day deadline which began in early December to call for fresh polls, purportedly to "save the party" which had endured four months of infighting.
Some CC members felt 'pressured'
Additionally, the special committee did not decide if the fresh polls should also include the women and youth wings as well.
Due to conflicting legal opinions, Chua said it would be best for the CC to decide on this matter.
He stressed that despite the stalemate, the public should not conclude that fresh polls would not be held because more CC members might resign.
"Some have expressed that they don't want to be pressured by a timetable set by certain quarters. They want to have their own say," he said.
To a question, Chua was non-committal as to whether he would resign.
The former health minister said he would make an announcement "when the time comes" while stressing that he had always maintained the need for fresh polls to be held.
Liow disappointed, but optimistic
In an immediate reaction, Liow, who is also part of the special committee, told reporters that he was disappointed with the lack of urgency among the CC members.
He said the CC previously agreed on the need for fresh polls and there should not be any delay as this would have an impact on the Chinese community and the party. "Since we have decided to have re-election there is no reason to ponder too long. That is what I reiterated to this meeting. We want the CC to take this seriously and make a decision as soon as possible," he said.
On an optimistic note, Liow said Chua had revealed that there were other CC members who have indicated their wish to resign, but would only do so in February or later.
"Let's work on them first and see how it goes," he said, when asked if he would take other measures to force the fresh polls such as conducting a signature campaign.
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