MCA Youth head Wee Ka Siong and Wanita head Chew Mei Fun have both denied that they had pressured president Ong Tee Keat to step down at a central committee (CC) meeting held after the Oct 10 extraordinary general meeting (EGM).

wee ka siong chew mei fun Wee (left) and Chew (right) issued a joint press statement today from Geneva where they are attending an international forum for parliamentarians.

They revealed that, immediately after the EGM, Ong had pledged to step down to keep his promise that he would do so if he lost the vote of confidence.

He convened a CC meeting at the party headquarters on the night of Oct 10 as Wee and Chew were scheduled to leave for Geneva soon after.

The duo said they felt that two issues had to be addressed at the meeting:

  • to ensure that Ong could complete the transition of power and step down honourably; and
  • to stabilise the party as soon as possible.
They further said Ong directed a few CC members to prepare his resignation letter, among them Chew and Hou Kok Chung. Wong Hock Aun was directed to make amendments and do the necessary proofreading.

“After the statement was finalised on the 9th floor, it was printed out and handed over to him (Ong), so that he could decide what to do next.”

'Accept the outcome'

Wee and Chew explained that the purpose of the EGM was to solve a problem, not create bigger issues.

azlan “After the EGM, both parties directly involved had solemnly vowed to respect and accept the result. Yet what is regrettable is that both parties are now questioning and rejecting the EGM’s clear results. If the tussle continues, MCA will suffer.

“If unfortunately, the result of the next EGM remains 50-50, does that mean we have to call yet another EGM to verify the second EGM result?”

They called on all parties to accept the outcome of the EGM to prevent any more harm coming to the MCA.

“We regret the actions by some people, who distort the truth (and) slander us and other leaders via SMS. But for the sake of the party, we will insist on what is best for MCA.”

A supporter of Ong had told the Chinese press yesterday that new deputy president Liow Tiong Lai, Wee and Chew had been determined to remove former deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek, and that their stand had strongly influenced Ong’s decision making.

For this reason, these leaders should also bear the consequences of the EGM - if Ong goes, they too should resign, added the supporter.