The MCA's central committee meeting yesterday sprang more round of surprises when Ong Tee Keat invoked his presidential powers to call for another extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to decide whether the party should hold fresh elections.

After five hours of bargaining by the party's powerful body, a clearer picture has emerged.

liow tiong lai pc 151009 02 It appears that the central committee is now split into three groups - Ong's loyalists, splinter group of Ong's faction led by Liow Tiong Lai ( left ) and Dr Chua Soi Lek's supporters.

There are 45 members in the central committee, including eight appointed by the president. The majority of them were said to be previously aligned to Ong.

It is learnt that Ong was asked to step down immediately at yesterday’s meeting on the basis that about 20 central committee members, including two vice-presidents along with other party office bearers as well as some elected and appointed central committee members had signed a joint letter asking him to do so.

They had signed the letter last night during a meeting called by one of the four vice presidents at a hotel near the party headquarters.

"Two of the four VPs did not sign. Others who were present signed. It was really a mutiny from within. What was interesting was that none of Chua's supporters in the central committee signed," an insider told Bernama.

malaysiakini interview loh seng kok 061108 03 The insider said Ong even commended Chua's supporters for being "much more principled” by choosing not to sign the letter.

Loh Seng Kok ( left ), one of the central committee members who supported Chua, said yesterday’s meeting was actually a battle between Ong’s supporters and his former followers.

Loh said Chua’s group just wanted fresh elections so that it would be a fair fight.

Ong betrayed by loyalists

Party insiders said Ong explained during the meeting that since the outcome of Saturday's EGM was inconclusive and the grassroots were divided, the best way out was to seek fresh elections.

mca egm 101009 ong tee keat arriving 04 Ong also explained that the disciplinary action against Chua was a collective decision by the presidential council and central committee and since it was overturned by the delegates, the central committee would also have to seek a fresh mandate.

Ong then decided to direct MCA secretary-general Wong Foon Ming to call for an EGM under Article 30.1 of the MCA constitution to decide whether the party should hold fresh polls for the central committee, insiders said.

A party grassroot leader, who declined to be identified, said Ong had emerged as the clear winner at yesterday’s meeting when he used the EGM as his trump card to turn the table against his detractors as most of the central committee members opposing him were reluctant to seek a fresh mandate.

"This is really like Brutus failing to stab Caesar. Ong has outmanoeuvered them in Round 2 after losing Round 1," he said.