MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat has caught his enemies, in and outside the MCA, by surprise by agreeing to all five resolutions demanded by expelled deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, breaking a stalemate and sparing the party further infighting.
The decision is decisive and in keeping with Ong’s bold character, MCA insiders said.
“But it is also a big gamble to put everything on one single decisive decision by the delegates. His decision broke a stalemate and allows the MCA to hold just one EGM instead of two,” they said.
“It also allows for a quick resolution of the dispute.”
Ong had made the decision as the two sides haggled over the modalities of the proposed EGM and whose resolutions were to be tabled – Dr Chua’s five resolutions or Ong’s one resolution.
Ong’s sole resolution simply urges delegates to endorse his presidency and support the expulsion of Chua.
Chua’s five resolutions, however, cover various areas including a vote of no confidence against Ong, a vote to reinstate himself, annul all disciplinary action against Chua’s supporters and a vote to protect the 921 members, some found to be dubious, who had signed the requisition for the EGM.
With the agreement, Ong’s sole resolution is dropped.
To the delegates it does not really matter whether the proposed resolution is worded in such a way as to express confidence in Ong’s presidency or to pass a vote of no confidence against him.
“Delegates who support Ong will reject any resolution from Chua’s camp urging them to pass a vote of no confidence. By rejecting such a resolution they would in effect be passing a vote of confidence in him,” MCA sources said giving the reason that Ong agreed to all five resolutions from Chua’s camp.
“It is how you see it - whether the cup is half-full or half-empty,” the sources said. Ong, they said, is an optimist and sees the cup as half-full, not half-empty.
“Although he will face a vote of no confidence at the EGM, he is confident of victory,” the sources said. “It nevertheless is a bold gamble and the outcome is not certain.”
MCA secretary-general Datuk Wong Foon Meng said on Monday now that both sides have agreed to one EGM, a notice would be issued this week for the meeting which must be held within 30 days from Sept 11, the day Chua’s camp requested an EGM.
Wong also said that the EGM would not see any debates or speeches, but would deal solely with delegates taking a vote on the five resolutions by secret ballot.
The EGM would be chaired by Datuk Yik Phooi Hong, the party’s current speaker.
Chua would not be allowed to attend as he is considered sacked.
In comments on the Internet, Malaysian readers welcomed the outcome saying that since the rival resolutions overlapped, it made sense for Ong to make way for Chua’s resolutions.
“It is also a magnanimous act and offers a win-win situation,” one commentator said in a Yahoo! chat group.
Said another, “It does not mean Ong has softened, I think he is just accommodating.”
Ong had submitted his request for an EGM with just one resolution on Aug 31 - an act that took the wind out of the sails of Chua’s camp that was criss-crossing the country raising signatures for an EGM.
Some of the 921 signatures, on verification, were found to be dubious.
The figure 921 also ran into controversies with allegations that the number was connected to triads, a charge refuted by Chua’s camp who said Sept 21 referred to World Peace Day.
No comments:
Post a Comment