Supporters of sacked deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek have submitted signatures of 921 MCA central delegates to the party headquarters calling for an emergency general meeting (EGM).

Representatives of the ad-hoc Central Delegates EGM Action Committee arrived at the party headquarters in Wisma MCA in Jalan Ampang at 4.30pm sharp.

According to the committee's chief coordinator Tan Chai Ho, both the time and date were chosen because today was an auspicious day for the Hungry Ghosts festival observed by the Chinese.

NONE Tan said the 921 figure was a "lucky number" and quickly added that “the number is...” before making a thumbs-up sign.

The figure is well below the 1,200 claimed by Chua's faction but comfortably above the minimum 800 - one-third of total delegates - required to compel the party to hold an EGM.

According to the requisition letter dated Aug 28 to party secretary-general Wong Foon Meng, the five proposed resolutions are as follows:

1. A resolution of no confidence in Ong’s leadership.

2. That the decision to sack Chua from the party on Aug 26 be annulled.

3. That Chua be reinstated as MCA deputy president.

4. That any appointment to party posts between now and the holding of the EGM be revoked.

5. That any disciplinary action against any of the requisitionist be revoked.

Ong’s resolutions unknown

The letter was signed by three central delegates including Tan, Chong Itt Chew and Loh Seng Kok.

Among others, the trio wrote in the letter that the EGM was called because Ong had failed to unite the party and provide a clear direction and undertake reforms.

NONE The three also states that Chua had resigned from all party and government posts last year to avoid embarrassing the party and was duly elected as deputy president during the last annual general assembly.

“The wishes of the general assembly and the decision of the central delegates ought to be accorded due respect,” the three wrote in the letter.

Ong is also invoking presidential powers and will call for an EGM to support Chua’s expulsion from the party, among others. Details of his proposed resolutions and the tentative date for the EGM are sketchy.

His opponents believe that this is an attempt to frustrate the pro-Chua EGM.

NONE Speaking at a press conference later, Tan ( right ) said initially his committee wanted a meeting with Ong’s representatives to discuss ways to merge both set of resolutions.

Given that Ong’s camp has yet to come forward, Tan said they are publicising their resolutions now to show sincerity of the group.

“Since you (Wong) insisted (on receiving the signatures), we are showing them to you,” said Tan, adding that the committee was still open to the idea of merging two EGMs, pending negotiations.

Presidential council: Only one EGM

Based on party laws, he said that the date for an EGM can only be determined by Wong, who is bound by the party constitution to call on Tan and the two who signed the requisition letter for a meeting within five days.

During the meeting, a date has to be set and notices to attend the meeting must be sent to all delegates within 60 days.

wong foon meng At a separate press conference later, Wong said he would set up a EGM working committee and will call for a meeting soon.

However, he was noncommittal when asked if he would reveal Ong’s proposed resolutions for the EGM.

For now, Wong said the immediate priority to was to verify the authenticity of the 921 signatures acquired by Tan’s committee.

Meanwhile, the party presidential council today have resolved that only one EGM should be convened to avoid inconveniencing and causing confusion to the delegates.