MCA secretary-general Wong Foon Meng has moved to merged two extraordinary general meetings (EGM) planned for later this month.

Rival groups are given up to Sept 4 to submit their respective extraordinary general meeting agendas, which would be compiled by the party headquarters.

selangor mca dinner 211108 wong foon meng 2 "(This is to) avoid more than one EGM being conducted," said Wong in a statement after meeting the EGM organising committee today.

Wong said the decision to avoid multiple EGMs being conducted was to avoid inconveniencing the central delegates and human resources at the MCA headquarters.

Wong has, however, not confirmed a date for the EGM, but said it would be held before Sept 30.

"The date, venue, time and agenda for the EGM will be stated clearly in the EGM notices," said Wong.

The announcement by Wong has effectively stymied attempts by backers of sacked party deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek to hold an EGM to reinstate him.

Chua: It is a plot!

Following Chua's sacking on Aug 25, his supporters have been canvassing for endorsement to hold the EGM. It is unsure if this group can meet the Sept 4 deadline.

Even before enough signatures can be obtained, party president Ong Tee Keat used his powers to announce an EGM to gauge support for the presidential council's decision to sack Chua.

chua soi lek pc 190509 02 In an immediate reaction, Chua (left) told Malaysiakini that Wong's announcement was a move to pre-empt his backers from holding an EGM.

He also criticised Ong for saying that an EGM would cause chaos in the party, only to announce an EGM three days later, thus contradicting himself.

He said he and his supporters will wait until resolutions by the pro-Ong faction are announced before deciding whether to attend the meeting.

"We don't know anything about the agenda. We will wait until there is a clear agenda. If it is in the interest of the party, then we will let the central delegates decide," he said.

Tan: No objections

Chua added that his supporters will continue to collect signatures to call for an EGM in a bid to "save the party" and reinstate his party membership.

"Our stand is firm, the grass roots want to save the party and reinstate my membership, that's all. MCA cannot proceed without a direction and cannot have a leadership that presents a false appearance", he added.

tan chai ho pc 200809 01 Meanwhile, pro-Chua EGM coordinator Tan Chai Ho (right) when contacted did not protest against the announcement by Wong and hoped that the resolutions proposed by both camps were similar.

"Even if there are dissimilarities, just as long as the two sets of resolutions are close, then we will be able to have a good discussion," said an upbeat Tan.

Tan, who is a central committee member, stressed that Chua's supporters will not hold an EGM that is against the party rules.