A group of MCA leaders have issued a notice to party secretary-general Dr Ting Chew Peh, asking for an additional two motions to be added in the extraordinary general meeting this Sunday.

According to a report by Chinapress online this evening, MCA Youth deputy secretary Liow Tiong Lai said the notice was signed by party deputy president Lim Ah Lek, vice-president Chua Jui Meng, vice-president Chan Kong Choy, youth chief Ong Tee Keat, women deputy chairperson Tan Yee Kew and central committee member Wong Mook Leong.

The six leaders are major opponents to the recent party's takeover of Nanyang Press, which publishes major Chinese dailies Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press

The first motion is to declare null and void, the acquisition of 72.35 percent of Nanyang Press share through a bank loan using MCA's shares in Star Publications as collateral since it contravenes Article 150 of the party constitution.

The second motion is to order the president, the central committee, Huaren Holdings and Huaren Management to sell its 72.35 percent Nanyang Press shares to independent Chinese buyers who will not monopolise the Chinese papers, as a measure to safeguard editorial integrity in line with the community's wishes.

In a notice issued to all central delegates on June 15, Ting said the EGM would discuss and decide on the decisions by the party presidential council and the central committee last month.

Both parties endorsed the purchase and authorised the board of directors of Huaren Holdings to "do all acts and things as the board may deem fit to manage the said investment, including but not limited to obtaining financing and seeking a strategic partner or partners to divest such portion of the investment ... in the best interest of the MCA".

They also directed the trustees of the MCA's shares in Huaren Holdings to act immediately to facilitate the purchase.

Contravenes constitution

Last week, Chua had said that the Nanyang acquisition was unlawful and contravenes Article 150 of the constitution.

Chua also said some members had found out that five days before the central committee meeting to discuss if the purchase should be made, the party had already acquired the approval of the Securities Commission.

Article 150 says that the party headquarters, any state liaison committee, division or branch may acquire and or deal in land, building and other property, whether movable or immovable, either by purchase or otherwise, and may charge, transfer or otherwise deal with such land or building or other property in accordance with the law applicable to such transactions.

"Provided that in the case of land, building or other property owned by party headquarters shall not be charged or mortgaged to secure aggregate borrowings and/or outstanding liabilities exceeding such limits as must have been previously approved by the general assembly," it further states.

However, MCA legal bureau chairperson Leong Tang Chong said Article 37.5 of the party constitution stated that the general assembly has delegated all or any of its power, except to amend the constitution, to the presidential council and central committee, adding that a resolution on this would be passed in every general assembly.

According to him, the majority of the presidential council members and central committee members who endorsed the acquisition on May 23 and May 30 respectively had done so in accordance with the constitution.