Quandary after EGM outcome

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KUALA LUMPUR: The dramatic decision of the MCA delegates on resolutions affecting the party’s No. 1 and No. 2 has now left it in a leadership quandary.

The party extraordinary general meeting voted for a resolution of no-confidence in president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and against the reinstatement of Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek as deputy president, plunging the party into uncertainty.

Party officials described the outcome as a “stalemate” because the party constitution clearly requires two-thirds of the delegates’ votes to remove the president.

They likened the scenario to a political deadlock for which a solution was needed to be found quickly.

They referred to Article 35 of the constitution, which stipulates that “the general assembly may dismiss any party official (whether the said party official is elected or appointed), if approved by at least two-thirds of the delegates to the general assembly present and voting at the meeting of the general assembly”.

Yesterday, Ong told newsmen that he respected the decision of the delegates, and that the central committee and presidential council would meet soon.

When asked for his reaction to the results, he said: “I am still what I am, did you see any expression of shock?”

He said that “since Day One, we were determined to resolve the party crisis through the EGM. This is it and we accept the decision”.

Yesterday, 2,304 delegates voted at the EGM at Wisma MCA to decide on the fate of the feuding leaders.

A total of 1,155 delegates voted for the no-confidence resolution while 1,141 voted against it.

On the second resolution, the delegates voted by a majority of 109 votes to reinstate Dr Chua as a party member.

The delegates, however, dealt him a blow by refusing to reinstate him as deputy president by a 74-vote majority.

The decision means that Dr Chua is no longer a deputy president but an ordinary member.

Party officials said they would study the outcome of the EGM, including the influence of the so-called “third force” which may have affected the voting pattern.

The force, said to be a loose grouping, had urged delegates to reject Ong and Dr Chua and allow the central committee members to decide on new leaders.