MCA explains Dr Chua's expulsion to members

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KUALA LUMPUR: MCA is in damage control mode following the sacking of its deputy president, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, on Wednesday.

It held a second closed-door briefing for grassroots members at the MCA headquarters in Jalan Ampang yesterday.

Among those present were party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and secretary-general Datuk Wong Foon Meng.

Ong started the series of briefings on Friday when he visited division leaders and members in Johor. The leadership has also called on members to remain calm.

Yesterday's two-hour meeting, which started at noon, was attended by about 100 members.

Wong said: "We will explain at these meetings why the presidential council adopted the disciplinary panel's recommendation for Dr Chua's expulsion."

Asked about the possibility of appointing a mediator to resolve the issue, Wong said "any constructive ideas or suggestions from Barisan Nasional component parties are welcome".

He was vague about the prospects of having an extraordinary general meeting (EGM), saying "we will cross the bridge when we get there".

Vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said: "It is not a party crisis. It is not that we are disunited."

But in the same breath, Liow said MCA "will use its wisdom to solve the party problem as soon as possible".

He ruled out talk of possible candidates to fill the post of deputy president.

"It does not arise. There is a process here. He (Dr Chua) has 14 days to appeal the decision. Let this process go through."

MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said "the situation is not like what the media portrays it to be".

In Putrajaya, party vice-president Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha lashed out at reports that claimed MCA divisions were rebelling against the leadership.

Kong, who is also Perak party chief, rubbished reports that 17 divisions in his state had pledged support for Dr Chua.

"Show me who they are and then I'll accept it."

He criticised the media for publishing "misleading" reports. However, he acknowledged that there was nothing wrong with members voicing their opinions about an EGM.

The EGM, mooted by Puchong division vice-chief Datuk Theng Book, is to call for a vote of no-confidence in Ong and to reinstate Dr Chua.

It had been reported in the Chinese vernacular papers that 17 of 24 MCA divisions in Perak had called for the EGM, along with 11 of 13 divisions in Penang.