Dirty tactics are being used to ensure MCA delegates to this Sunday's extraordinary general meeting (EGM) endorse the party's takeover of Nanyang Press.

MCA deputy chief Lim Ah Lek told malaysiakini that over the past few days he had received feedback from numerous delegates, complaining that "certain quarters" had offered them promises of promotion in return for backing the motion in support of the Nanyang takeover at the EGM.

"Some of them were offered promises to be promoted as deputy minister, and to some state assemblymen they were promised state exco posts, while others were offered senatorship," he said.

Lim added that some local party leaders were offered candidacy in the next general elections due in 2004.

Some delegates were even promised that they would be recommended for datukship if they supported the motion, said Lim.

Describing such "offers" as rampant and improper, he condemned the leaders for abusing their power in their bid to influence the crucial vote on Sunday.

"Those posts belong to the party and not to any particular persons. Party leaders should not make use of them like their own property," he said.

Decisive meeting

MCA will have its decisive EGM on Sunday, where 2,385 party delegates are to debate a motion to endorse the decision made by its central committee members to takeover of Nanyang Press, which publishes two major Chinese dailies - Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press .

On May 31, the Chinese-based party bought 72.35 percent share of the media company from tycoon Quek Leng Chan for RM230 million in cash.

The Chinese community has protested against the deal, fearing that the two dailies would be turned into mouthpieces of the government.

Lim, who is also chairperson of the party's disciplinary committee, added that some delegates also complained to him that certain leaders had exerted a lot of pressure on them to back the EGM resolution.

"Our delegates are mature, they are fully aware MCA should stand together with the Chinese community. If not, MCA would have to pay a high cost in next elections. We cannot and should not fight against the Chinese community," he stressed.

Lim also revealed to malaysiakini that he had suggested to his president to sell Nanyang Press to the others as soon as possible in their trustees meeting.

"We also stated cleary to the president that we opposed Sin Chew Jit Poh 's owner Tiong Hiew King taking over Nanyang Press because we reject the monopoly of Chinese dailies in the market, and the Chinese community also has a similar stand," he said.

The deputy party chief said the controversy was created by MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik, and warned that the Nanyang deal would endanger the party and affect the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition in the next general elections.

Told to boycott

Meanwhile, MCA Youth leader Tang Thien Ming told malaysiakini that "unhealthy tactics" were also being employed in the Youth EGM, which will be held a day before the party's EGM.

"Some state and division leaders have warned MCA Youth delegates not to attend the EGM or else they would be punished or marginalised in their future political career," said Tang, who is MCA Youth education bureau chief.

He also revealed that a certain quarters had sent a letter on behalf of the MCA Youth secretariat saying the party Youth EGM has been called off.

"We have received many calls from numerous delegates asking whether the EGM would proceed with or not. But the matter of fact is that the MCA Youth secretariat has not issued any such letter," he stressed.

He added that there was another letter faxed by the so-called 22 MCA Youth central committee members calling on the delegates to boycott the EGM, stating that the Youth chief Ong Tee Keat's notice did not comply with the party constitution and thus the EGM is illegal.

At the same time, Tang added that some factions even spread the message labeling the EGM as an illegal gathering.

"We had received the police permit; the delegates should not believe those irresponsible rumours," he said.

Tang said 1,515 central delegates are eligible to attend the MCA Youth EGM this Saturday morning at the Grand Seasons Hotel in Jalan Pahang.

He is expecting a little over half of the delegates to attend the Youth EGM. He believed the dirty tactics employed would not be able to stop the delegates from casting a vote to request the MCA leadership to abort the acquisition of Nanyang Press.