Perak MCA leaders are throwing their support behind party president Dr Chua Soi Lek, who has been asked to resign following a disastrous performance at the polls.

Ipoh Barat MCA division chairperson Tan Chin Meng said despite the current situation, Chua should be allowed to lead MCA until the party elections, expected to be held in six months’ time.

NONE “It doesn’t mean that just because it’s not going well at the moment, we’re not standing behind Dr Chua ( left ),” he added.

Tan, who is among the many MCA candidates who lost in Chinese-majority constituencies, stressed that it would solve nothing by asking the president to step down immediately.

“Those who called for the president’s head were probably annoyed at not being selected as candidates,” he noted.

Meanwhile, Tapah MCA division deputy chairperson Chang Kon You said he was shocked that people were actually pushing for Chua to resign, adding that now was not the time to play the blame game.

“Instead of faulting the president alone, we should work together to restructure the party, especially since the party will not be accepting any government posts.

The party had already said before the polls that if results were worse than in 2008, it would relinquish all politically-appointed positions.”

'Entire party leadership to blame'

However, Ipoh Timor MCA Youth chief Tony Khoo said the entire party leadership should take the blame for being rejected by Chinese voters.

NONE “If we were really one team, we should not scramble to evade responsibility by putting the blame on Dr Chua alone,” he said.

On comments that Chua should emulate Gerakan’s Teng Chang Yeow ( right ) who resigned from his party post and position as Penang BN chairperson, Khoo replied that it was up to the individual.

He also pointed out that Teng had only been the party’s secretary-general.

“I don’t see the Gerakan president quitting,” said Khoo.

State MCA Youth chief Dr Mah Hang Soon noted that the president had already shouldered responsibility by not seeking re-election.

“We have to look at ourselves too and stick together in difficult times.”

He added that party members should not blame each other, but instead stay united and work hard.

- The Malay Mail

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