MCA today approved an amendment to its party constitution to allow the postponement of its elections for up to six months after the general election.

The unamended constitution currently states that party polls can be postponed up to three months after the GE. 

The approval to the amendment was made by a show of hands in an extraordinary general meeting held this morning at MCA headquarters in Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.

As much as 99 percent of the 1,844 party delegates who voted today cast their ballots in support for the amendment.

Another part of the amendment approved by party delegates allow the postponement of its polls from the current 42 months to 36 months after the last general elections.

The amendments that were passed, read:

"In the event of any impending GE to held for the country and two-thirds of the central (committee are of the) opinion that it is in the interest of the party's preparations for the GE, the central committee may postpone the elections of the party at all levels to a date not later than six months after the conclusion of the GE for the country.

"The central committee shall not make such a decision for postponement until 36 months after the last GE unless the government calls for a snap GE.

"In such an event, all party officials and office bearers elected or appointed under this constitution shall hold office until new party officials of office bearers have been validly elected or appointed to replace them in their respective offices after the conclusion of the postponed party elections."

The motion was proposed by party secretary-general Kong Cho Ha, and seconded by Liow Tiong Lai.

According to Bernama, the results mean that the party election scheduled this year could be postponed immediately from this month instead of having to wait until September or 42 months as stated in the current party constitution.

Earlier, 1,844 out of a total of 2,362 central delegates turned up at the Dewan San Choon, Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur for the EGM by a show of hands as there was no request from the delegates present for the voting to be carried out through a secret ballot.

A total of 1,827 delegates supported the move to postpone the election and amend the constitution while 14 abstained and three delegates decided against the move.

The decision was announced by Assembly Speaker Yik Phooi Hong at 10.40am.

The party decided to hold an EGM today after 93 percent or 2,201 of the 2,362 MCA central delegates signed a petition to hold an EGM to postpone party election due this year.

Party president Chua Soi Lek said the decision of MCA delegates show their maturity.

“They placed the interests of the party above everything else. This show (also that) the central committee (members) are mature,” the former health minister told a press conference after the voting exercise.

The decision will allow the party to focus its efforts on winning the next general elections.

“The general elections are more important that party elections,” Chua added.

Asked about the low turnout of 80 percent of the total quorum needed for the EGM, Chua said the party had never achieved 100 percent turnout.

"Eighty percent turnout is good,” he added, saying the missing delegates offered various reasons for their non-attendance.