MCA vice-president Liow Tiong Lai's faction have their work cut for them with the latest development where the party's central committee ruled against the Nov 28 extraordinary general meeting.

Wong Nai Chee, who was dropped alongwith Wee Ka Siong, Chew Mei Fun and Wee Jeck Seng in a presidential council reshuffle by party president Ong Tee Kiat today, however, remained upbeat.

In this second part of an exclusive interview, Wong anticipates a good turnout. He also talks about seeking a lifeline from Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin to salvage the party's battered image.

Malaysiakini: Do you still believe the second EGM would be well attended?

NONE Wong: We are going round the country and having discussions in smaller groups. Sometimes when you have big dinners, it may not be effective. We are trying to convince people the EGM is a neccessity. It is a matter of restoring the party's integrity and the EGM the most effective way.

Has the response been positive?

In certain quarters yes. We still need to work harder (to convince them to attend). You need to convince them politics is not about clinging to a leader, it's more than that...the mindset must be changed.

Speculations are rife that you received support for the EGM from Johor and Pahang, who are seen to be aligned with Dr Chua Soi Lek?

We don't deny that. It is important to have the personal touch. We feel there are issues which they needed to understand. There is a lot of confusion. When the president wanted to call for another EGM, we (CC) objected. It is not a matter of supporting Liow which is not the issue...

Did you read Ong's letter to the Registrar of Societies?

I read about it in the newspapers. We thought Article 174 of the party constitution stated clearly that the CC is entrusted with the job of interpreting the resolutions of the EGM. I do not think it is right for the president... with the CC making up its mind. The president acted without us knowing it. It is not a right thing to do.

NONE Are you saying he (Ong) is not a principled person?

I do not want to use that word, but I do not think it is right to do that.

Ong and Chua claim that 80 percent of the delegates attended their forum with division leaders over the weekend. Is support for the Nov 28 EGM dwindling?

I do think the forum's intention was designed to hijack the wishes of the grassroots but I do not think the figures are correct, maybe you have to double check.

Are you disputing the figures?

On the face of it, yes, I doubt it. But it is for you all to investigate.

mca egm 2notice advertisement People are jaded over about having another EGM. There are doubts if you can get the numbers to pass a resolution calling for fresh polls. Is it a daunting task, especially with an AGM due to Dec 5?

These are two diffferent issues. The Nov 28 EGM involves democratic principles. The Dec 5 AGM is to deliberate other issues. I agree with you there is a feeling of dissatisfaction, unhappiness and so on among party members. We have to keep assuring people that it is part of the political struggle. There are certain problems which we need to highlight and certain values we need to safeguard.

How do you deal with allegations you are practising double standards. First you were against the EGM, then you wanted one, and now Liow is eyeing to be president?

I do not bother who would be the next president. I'm more concerned about restoring MCA's battered image and restore its credibility. If we wanted to cling on to power, we would not be making a call for fresh elections and submitting ourselves to the central delegates. We stand an equal chance of winning or losing.

Liow is seen to be wanting the prime minister's involvement. On the other hand, you do not want his intervention...

With respect, I feel this is a MCA problem. It can be resolved via the grassroots and through the central delegates. From the beginning, we were keen on fresh elections. For us, that's the best way out - to seek a solution from within the party.

NONE On Oct 15, when Ong wanted to hold the EGM, we rejected. We opposed it because he wanted to call it to affirm his leadership. We did not think this was right, as Ong wanted to use the second EGM to reverse the resolution made against him in the first one on Oct 10.

Our leaders do not respect the principle of political accountability. We are going for fresh elections now because our leaders say something and do something else.

Do you discount the possibility of bringing this matter before the courts?

To be frank with you if you bring MCA to court, you will disintegrate the party. Being a responsible MCA member, I do not think I want to bring the MCA to court. I want to make a decision beneficial to the party and which would not destroy it.

Why not take Registrar of Societies to court?

Liow reserves the right. He has made an appeal to the ROS and awaiting the outcome. We come back to Article 174 of the party constitution, and we feel the ROS is wrong to interfere.

Ong is relentless in his attacks against your faction, saying you're morally wrong, and are not keeping to your word and trying to stage a coup?

I think it is an integrity issue. I leave it to the public to decide. But one thing is for sure when you lose a no-confidence vote, is it appropriate for you to carry on leading the party? Do you think you should still carry on. It's an issue of accountability. I leave the public to make a judgment.

NONE There are allegations of a third faction is at work to kick both of them out...

From what I can see delegates are getting fed-up with both. You talk about pro-Ong, pro-Chua. You want both to go. It is a result of ill feeling, not political conspiracy, it is too dramatic to be believed .

So you think the in-fighting would stop after the second EGM and fresh polls?

For people to believe we subscribe to democratic principles, this would be the way. That is the reason we want fresh elections. If Ong were to come back, if Chua were to come back, if Liow were to contest - it is not my concern.

My concern to make the right decisions and put the party back on track and salvage its image which had we worked hard to build the past 60 years.

'New EGM meant to restore MCA's integrity'