The MCA annual general meeting today unanimously adopted the nine-year limit term for the party president's post without debate.

The motion to adopt the said amendment to the party constitution was passed within 20 minutes after it was tabled by party secretary-general Dr Ting Chew Peh.

When he tabled the motion, Ting urged delegates to give their full support as it was aimed at reducing future party crises.

Speaker Yik Phooi Hong then told the 2,000-odd delegates that if the majority of them support the motion, a debate on the motion was not necessary.

Traditionally, a debate on any motion is required before a vote, by the showing of hands, takes place.

Agreement adhered to

Since there was no objection, the speaker then asked for a count. All, except five delegates believed to be from Federal Territory, objected.

The approval obtained from the parent body today sealed the top leaders' consensus to a nine-year limit to the terms of the party president, Youth and Wanita leaders. The Youth and Wanita wings adopted the amendments at their meetings yesterday.

The proposal was first mooted by the central committee on July 31.

Commenting on the proposal after opening the AGM, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad described it as a good move "as nine years to head the party is a ideal period"

However, it may not be suitable for other parties, he added.

Contacted for his comment, former acting MCA president Dr Neo Yee Pan opined that the amendment may not effectively resolve the party crisis.

He said party crises usually occurred because of individual conflicts and factionalism and "such an amendment may not be the best solution."

The meeting also passed all resolutions covering five categories - party affairs, politics, economy, education and social affairs.

One resolution also urged the party to request the BN for a "fair allocation of new seats to the MCA".

Lower attendance

The AGM drew an attendance of 80 percent or 2,190 central delegates from a total of 2,794. It slightly dropped from last year's 81.57 percent.

However about 80 percent of the delegates skipped the AGM after lunch, with the afternoon session continuing to an almost empty hall.

A central delegate, debating on the resolutions, urged the party to create a ruling making it compulsory for all delegates to attend the full day's session in future.

Responding to this later, party president Ong Ka Ting said the low attendance in the afternoon session "is very normal and happens every year".

However he was quick to add that the party will look into the matter and study how to improve the situation.

The maiden speech of the new president earlier elaborated on many other issues other than those on party affairs or the direction of the MCA under his leadership.

Topping the list of Ong's concerns were terrorism and peace, and the country's economic and industrial sectors - current policies of which he praised.

The MCA chief also thanked the prime minister for his advice and effort which helped the party saw through its recent crisis.

He also called on members to encourage more highly-educated people to join the party.

Among other guests present at the MCA 50 th AGM included Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Gerakan vice-president Dr Koh Tsu Koon, SUPP deputy chairperson Law Hieng Ding and BN secretary general Mohamad Rahmat.

MCA honorary life presidents Lee San Choon and Dr Ling Liong Sik and immediate past deputy president Lim Ah Lek were also present.