'One EGM will avoid disunity'

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KLANG: There should only be one extraordinary general meeting and supporters from rival factions in the MCA should sit down and work out the agenda.

MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said that was the best solution to resolve the current party crisis as soon as possible and that supporters must sit together to map out the agenda for the EGM.

He added that he did not want to see the party split and stressed that it was not a party crisis.

"There is no team A or B here. We are all united," he said after handing out masks to schools here yesterday.

Liow, who is health minister, said the current situation was not the same as previous events in the party. "Here the disciplinary board gave its recommendation and the presidential council approved it."

MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat has called an EGM to be held within 30 days to let members voice their opinion on the matter and quash any speculation threatening the party.

Earlier, those backing Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, who was sacked as party vice-president over his DVD sex scandal, by the party's presidential council, also pushed for an EGM. The group needs to get one third or 800 of the central delegates to support the EGM aimed at ousting Ong and reinstating Chua.

In Kuala Lumpur, MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said the EGM was crucial as "it will once and for all solve the party's conflict".

But he felt that there was no need for two EGMs. "It's like two-in-one shampoo or tea bags. This can also be two-in-one EGM."

As for the Youth members, Dr Wee said they wanted the leadership crisis to be resolved fast.

"We stand united and we want only one EGM to solve the matter."

There are 2,400 delegates, and of that about one third are Youth members.

"I am confident the delegates will use their wisdom to decide the right thing to do."

Asked if the party could pick a candidate for the deputy president's post, he said the central committee members had the right to do so.

"They can if they wanted to. It is in the party's constitution," he said after launching a nationwide awareness campaign on influenza A (H1N1).