Thesun 2009-10-21 Page02 Tee Keat Reshuffles Party Bureaus

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theSun

| WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 21 2009

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Tee Keat reshuffles party bureaus KUALA LUMPUR: MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat yesterday announced that he is reshuffling his party bureaus and that Datuk Leong Tang Chong ceases to be the Legal Bureau chief with immediate effect. In his blog (www.ongteekeat.com), Ong said MCA was currently undergoing a review and reshuffle of party bureaus and new bureaus may be created and old ones refreshed or combined. “As part of a management reshuffle in MCA, I have decided to carry out some changes. Datuk Leong Tang Chong ceases to be the chief of the MCA Legal Bureau. The potential candidates have been shortlisted and I will be making an announcement on the replacement in due course. Leong has served the post for many years and has contributed directly and indirectly to the MCA. “He has brought a huge wealth of legal research to the legal bureau and given valuable legal advice to the central committee (CC). On behalf of the party, I want to thank him and wish him all the best in his future endeavour,” he said. According to sources, more officebearers would be “sacked”, especially those who “advised” Ong to step down after the Oct 10 EGM. Organising secretary Yoo Wei How and deputy organising secretary Gan Hong Su are likely to be the next “victims”. At the Parliament Hari Raya open

house, MCA secretary-general Datuk Wong Foon Meng said he is arranging for Ong and Liow to meet in two days to find a better solution to resolve the crisis and avoid EGM2. “My priority now is to arrange the meeting although I have been ordered by Ong to prepare for EGM2. The meeting will have to represent the views of every CC member and not a few individuals. We respect the outcome of the EGM and we will discuss how to implement the outcome,” he said. Former vicepresident Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn said he was confident with the top leadership and suggested that the problem be resolved internally. “The feeling of the grassroots is if Umno were to be involved now, they will lose face. So, it is not the time yet. “It is still acceptable for a negotiation to produce an inclusive leadership with the participation of Ong, Liow and (former deputy president Datuk Seri) Dr Chua (Soi Lek).

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‘Another EGM will lead to more squabbling’ MCA vice-president Tan Kok racy, he said, adding that a united team should be Hong says MCA needs stability and unity and there is no need for formed through negotiaby Kong See Hoh a second extraordinary general tions. [email protected] meeting (EGM2). Tan told Oriental Daily Tan, who has been keeping News this when asked mum before and after the 10/10 EGM, finally to comment on party president Datuk Seri Ong broke his silence on Monday. Tee Keat’s decision to hold EGM2 for delegates “What is of utmost importance is for MCA to to decide whether fresh party elections should have a team which can work closely together. I be held. He said although party members in Johor may don’t support another EGM, as it will only lead to more squabbling. MCA cannot afford to waste be aligned with different leaders, 80% to 90% of more time on infighting. What is important is unity, them are able to work together and they hope let’s work for party unity and stability.” to see a team that can bring unity and stability Elections do not necessarily equal to democto the party.

Press Digest

DPM: No intervention in MCA crisis unless ... by Giam Say Khoon [email protected]

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin says Umno will not intervene in MCA’s leadership crisis unless all its central committee (CC) members seek help from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak to resolve their problems. Speaking to reporters in parliament lobby yesterday, Muhyiddin said: “Since it’s a party matter, I believe MCA leaders are wise enough to deal with the problems. “We do not want to be seen as intervening in MCA although we do have moral obligations as Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership. We would like to see how MCA manages the situation, if they can deal with it themselves, the credit will go to them. Unless every CC member feels that the one that can help is the prime minister or I, only then will we come in. “When they have consensus that only the prime minister or BN chairman can resolve this, then BN can have the legal standing to make a decision. Otherwise, we will not be welcomed and we will be treated as an outsider,” he said. Muhyiddin did not want to comment on whether there was a need for the party to have another extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to resolve its internal conflict. “I do not want to intervene nor am I the adviser to MCA. They (MCA leaders) will know better that there are provisions in the party constitution but we should also take the party dignity, integrity and reputation as well as the benefit of the Chinese community and the people into consideration. “It’s our hope to see MCA strong.” Muhyiddin said he fully agreed with Najib that the MCA crisis should be resolved as soon as possible and achieve a good outcome on who should lead

the party because “we are worried that if the issue is dragged for too long, the party will not help strengthen BN and the government. “The Chinese community certainly wants to see MCA be able to resolve its problems fast. As a senior component party in BN, the impact will be big if the problems are not resolved because people will feel the uncertainties. “My hope is that the party can resolve the problems based on the party constitution and consider the outcome of the Oct 10 EGM (in which MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat lost a confidence resolution by 14 votes while Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek failed to get the delegates to reinstate him as deputy president) to preserve the dignity of the party which does not belong to Ong, Chua or (newly deputy president) Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai. “It (MCA) belongs to the people, especially the Chinese community. Umno has started its reform; there will be problems if the component party is still unable to resolve its own problems,” he said. On whether Ong should step down since he has lost the majority support from the delegates, Muhyiddin also refused to comment but said the MCA leaders know what Ong should do. On Thursday, Ong ordered party secretary-general Datuk Wong Foon Meng to call for an EGM to determine the need for fresh party elections. On the intention of Datuk Ibrahim Ali, the independent MP for Pasir Mas, to rejoin Umno, Muhyiddin said: “Umno is open about Ibrahim’s intention and if he has submitted his membership form, the supreme council will consider it. “We will see whether it (Ibrahim’s request) is reasonable, sincere and his past records … He has his own uniqueness in politics. We will consider his application but until now, we have not received anything,” he said. On the call by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress for Employees Provident Fund (EPF) deductions to be reverted to 11% from the current 8%, Muhyiddin said the EPF could make an official request to the government based on the wishes of employees.

Liow and Ong may hold second round of talks NEWLY-APPOINTED deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai is said to have held a meeting with president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat on Monday in which both indicated willingness to continue to work together. According to a Sin Chew Daily report yesterday, sources close to the two leaders did not discount the possibility that if talks between them are fruitful, Ong would continue to lead the party. Both Ong and Liow were happy with the mutual sincerity shown in their first round of talks, the sources said, adding that a consensus on full cooperation between the two could be achieved within a day or two. “In the interest of the party, the two have agreed to hold a second round of talks.” The sources said misunderstandings between

the two leaders, including accusations of mutiny and betrayal, were cleared in the meeting. Both had agreed that much of the misunderstandings stemmed from a lack of communication. Meanwhile, China Press reported that Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, who believes that he is still the rightful deputy president, is expected to get an answer from the Registrar of Societies (ROS) in a day or two. He recently filed an appeal with the ROS seeking reinstatement as MCA deputy president. Sources told the daily that if the ROS rules for Chua, Liow’s election as party No. 2 would be nullified. “The question of two deputy presidents does not arise as MCA has to abide by the decision of the ROS, which is final.”