Thesun 2009-09-02 Page02 History Repeats Itself In Mca

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| WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 2 2009

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History repeats itself in MCA KUALA LUMPUR: It was a case of political history repeating itself for MCA – Barisan Nasional’s second largest component party – when its leaders again resorted to calling extraordinary general meetings (EGM) to settle a political crisis. MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat has called for an EGM, expected to be held at the end of this month, to endorse the party presidential council’s decision to sack its deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek following his involvement in a sex scandal in early 2007. Chua’s supporters immediately launched a signature campaign to get one third of the party delegates to request for an EGM to overturn the decision. However, Ong seems to have made a pre-emptive strike by calling an EGM even before Chua’s supporters could submit the EGM requisition to the party. Under the party’s constitution, the EGM must be held within 30 days after the directive is issued by the party president while the notice of the EGM has to be issued to the delegates 21 days before the date of the EGM. However, the party constitution does provide the power for the notice period to be shortened by half. “The way I look at it, the president wants to settle this issue once and for all. Looks like the EGM could be held as early as Sept 13 or a week after Hari Raya on Sept 27, before the party’s AGM scheduled on Oct 11 to be officiated by the prime minister. “An EGM before the AGM would be good avenue to sort this issue once and for all,”

said MCA’s Council of Elders chairman Datuk Yap Pian Hon. Former MCA secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Ting Chew Peh said: “The current scenario is almost similar to the crisis the party faced in 1984 over the issue of phantom members when the then acting president Datuk Dr Neo Yee Pan sacked vice-president Tan Koon Swan and 13 other leaders and members from the party.” The crisis started when Neo sacked Tan and Datuk (now Tan Sri) Lee Kim Sai from their posts as Federal Territory MCA liaison chairman and Selangor MCA liaison chairman respectively on March 17, 1984. On the same day, Datuk Mak Hon Kam, in his capacity as the party’s disciplinary committee chairman, announced the immediate expulsion of 14 leaders and members from the party including Tan, Lee and other central committee members like (Tun) Dr Ling Liong Sik, Datuk Kee Yong Wee, Wong Choon Wing and Datuk Wong Mook Leong. The announcement shocked not only the party but the whole Chinese community which prompted members throughout the country to urge the party to retract the expulsion orders. Within 48 hours after the expulsions, more than 1,499 delegates sent in a joint petition calling for an EGM to be held to nullify the expulsion orders and to appoint a special committee to probe and handle the phantom membership issue. However, this was ignored by the incumbent leadership which refused to hold

the EGM, forcing the Tan faction to bring the issue to court where the party fell into a state of near anarchy and the leadership was criticised from all corners. The crisis only ended on Nov 24, 1985, when a delegates’ meeting was held and successfully elected a new leadership under Koon Swan with Liong Sik as deputy president and Kim Sai as secretary-general. The MCA’s current crisis also resembles what happened eight years ago when a crisis erupted following the party leadership, headed by Ling, decided to purchase Nanyang Press Holding Berhad. The crisis split the party into two factions, Team A vs Team B with one faction headed by Ling and including Chua, favouring the decision to purchase Nanyang while his deputy Tan Sri Lim Ah Lek who headed the other faction, which included current president Ong, was against the takeover. The issue was resolved only after Ling called for an EGM where the majority of the delegates endorsed the purchase of Nanyang by the party’s investment arm, Huaren Holdings Sdn Bhd. A total of 1,176 out of the 2,207 delegates who cast their secret ballots voted for the deal while 1,019 were against the takeover of Nanyang Press, which publishes the Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press dailies. Huaren has over the years reduced its stake in Nanyang to a marginal stake as Sin Chew Media Group has taken over the ownership. – Bernama

» See also Page 7

Sothi: Samy’s ‘dream team’ may not be endorsed by all by Tim Leonard [email protected]

PETALING JAYA: MIC vice-president Datuk S. Sothinathan yesterday took a swipe at his former mentor and MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu for parading a “dream team” to delegates for the oncoming party polls. Sothinathan, who fell out with Samy Vellu recently, told theSun that the president’s team may not necessarily reflect the aspirations of the grassroots or the Indian community as a whole. “One man’s ‘dream team’ may not be the team endorsed by the grassroots,” Sothinathan said. Sothinathan, who is contesting the MIC deputy

president’s post, said the Indian community wanted a change at the leadership level and MIC must bring about the changes. Sothinathan said although he was grateful to Samy Vellu for bringing him into the MIC, he nevertheless remains firm in his stand that the party must adapt to changes. “We must stop ignoring the wishes of the community. Change has to come so that the people are free to choose whoever they want as leaders … not just based on one man’s team.” The 49-year-old former Teluk Kemang MP said this year’s party polls is very crucial as it will set the pace for things to come, especially in winning back the hearts of Indian voters who deserted MIC in the previous general elections. Samy Vellu’s ‘dream team’ comprises incumbent Datuk G. Palanivel for the post of deputy president and three new faces as vice-presidents, namely Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk S.K. Devamany and Federal Territories Deputy Minister Datuk M. Saravanan. Palanivel is challenged by former deputy president Datuk S Subramaniam and Sothinathan. A total of 1,464 delegates will cast their votes in the Sept 12 polls. MIC lost heavily in the 2008 elections. Among those who lost were Samy Vellu, Palanivel and Sothinathan.

Prisons to be closed to visitors for Hari Raya PETALING JAYA: All prison institutions, except the detention camp in Kamunting, Taiping, will be closed to visitors on the first and second day of Hari Raya. The Prisons Department announced in a statement yesterday the camp for ISA detainees will be open to visitors on the first and second day of the festival while visits to all other prisons, reformatories and the Henry Gurney School would be allowed on the third and fourth days of the festival. Visiting hours are from 8.15am till 4.15pm and visitation priorities on the days mentioned will be given to Muslim detainees. Visitors are not allowed to give food, drinks or money to the detainees.

Wanita Umno finalises 30% female representation proposal by Meena L. Ramadas [email protected]

KUALA LUMPUR: Wanita Umno yesterday finalised its proposal to amend the party constitution to institutionalise a mandatory 30% women representation in the party management. The proposal was approved at a Wanita Umno executive council meeting. Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said: “I hope this 30% female representation, which is part of Barisan Nasional’s policy, is implemented in Umno. It is important because women can offer different perspectives, contribute to the policymaking process and also effectively execute programmes.” She said the proposal included 15 other items related to the 30% quota for women to be given a chance to help manage the party. “The proposed amendments are aimed to yield affirmative action from Umno regarding the appointment of capable and deserving women in decision-making positions within the party. These positions include those in Umno branches, state committees and at national level. Asked about the 30% allocation of posts for women that had been adopted in the opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s constitution, Shahrizat said: “This 30% female representation in important posts was initiated by BN so I am happy that PKR has agreed with BN’s initiative and have implemented it.” Sharizat said that she handed a memorandum to the cabinet back in August 2004 when she was women, family and community development minister. “There was no legislative amendments made at that time but now we have a new leadership,” she said.