Ong needs landslide win in EGM to cement leadership

The possible outcome of the Oct 10 MCA extraordinary general meeting (EGM) has narrowed after the central committee substituted the sacking of deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek with a four-year suspension.

It will be either a 'win all' or 'lose all' for the current leadership, and if it is the latter, the presidential council and CC would have to resign, paving the way for fresh party elections.

Five motions, all proposed by Chua's supporters, will be discussed at the EGM, among them, a vote of no-confidence against president Ong Tee Keat and another to reinstate Chua.

A party insider said the central delegates could overwhelmingly reject the five motions and hand Ong a landslide victory, or all vote in favour of Chua.

"Unless Ong is given the landslide victory, we are not convinced the EGM will solve MCA's internal crisis once and for all," he said.

Decision reduced sympathy factor for Chua

The insider said the second motion sought the annulment of decisions by the presidential council or the powerful central committee (CC) to expel or suspend Chua.

"If that happens, not only Ong will have to step down but the entire presidential council and CC will also have to do so and this will force fresh party elections," he added.

This, he said, would open a new battle between Chua's camp and Ong's supporters, to be led either by vice-presidents, Liow Tiong Lai or Kong Cho Ha.

It is believed the although the CC's decision had reduced the sympathy factor for Chua and has given Ong the advantage, it is too early to give him a comfortable lead.

It remains to be seen how this will swing the votes of the 2,377 central delegates.

One observer estimated it would influence about five percent of the ballots.

With Ong and Chua each commanding about 30 percent of the support, the days ahead will see a fight to woo the 40 percent of the neutral delegates, or fence sitters.

Another observer argues that the CC decision had not only put Chua on the defensive but had also angered the delegates supporting him as they felt the EGM had been undermined and the suspension has effectively shut him out of the 2011 party elections.

Chua makes ‘tactical error’

Chua's supporters accused the president of using the CC to frustrate and confuse delegates, saying it was also a "breach of consensus" when both sides had earlier agreed to hold the EGM to resolve the crisis.

Pro-Chua campaigner, Loh Seng Kok, said some CC members with legal background believed that the CC, which met on Sept 19, had no right to review the case of a member who did not appeal.

Loh said Chua had not appeal his expulsion by the Sept 16 deadline because he had surrendered it to the EGM.

"This is political assassination. Delegates are angry as Ong and the CC try to play the power game. This only confirms that he uses the class of leadership against the class of delegates," Loh said.

Some, however, blame Dr Chua's supporters for making a tactical error in pressing for the EGM before the CC meeting.

MCA veteran, Datuk Yap Pian Hon, said the move had been "too fast and too early."

"They should have known that after the appeal period is over, the CC has to meet and discuss the matter. As I see it, they are worried they would lose the sympathy momentum and submit the EGM petition before that," he said.

Another observer said Dr Chua's side could have acted in haste to counter talks that they have not managed to secure the signatures of a third of the central delegations for the EGM.

- Bernama