Friday May 10, 2013

GE13: Party members told to stop playing the blame game

MALACCA: MCA members must stop the blame game on the party's heavy losses in the just-concluded general election or placing the fault solely on president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, said a state chief.

Dr Chua's decision not to seek re-election as party president is in itself a big sacrifice by any political leader, said Malacca MCA chief Datuk Gan Tian Loo.

Gan: ‘It is unfair to fully blame Dr Chua or any party leader’

“All of us were severely wounded in the general election (GE13). Dr Chua stewarded the party through the most intensely fought election.

“It is unfair to fully blame him or any party leader. We should respect his decision by not pressuring him to relinquish his position at once,” said Gan.

In Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory MCA Youth deputy treasurer Datuk Patrick Sim said any calls asking Dr Chua to resign now would further destabilise the party.

Sim: Calls for elections before another round of infighting.

In a press conference yesterday, Sim said instead, the party elections should be held as soon as possible to prevent MCA from being plunged into another round of infighting.

Cheras MCA division vice-chairman Teoh Chee Hooi said the party is now on the verge of collapse due to its poor showing in the general election; and members should defend and rebuild the party instead of going after one person.

Teoh: ‘Members should rebuild the party instead of going after one person’

Seputeh MCA division vice-chief Ong Cheng Hwa called on members to stand together as “tomorrow will be better”.

In Kangar, MCA division leaders in Perlis want Dr Chua to continue as party president till the party holds its elections.

State MCA chairman Dr Por Choo Chor, who lost the Indera Kayangan state seat, said Dr Chua was still needed to lead the party to review the shortcomings and weaknesses.

Dr Por: ‘Dr Chua is still needed to lead the party to review its shortcomings’

He also announced the closure of his service centre, saying he did not have sufficient resources to run it.

In Petaling Jaya, MCA Young Professionals bureau chief Datuk Chua Tee Yong said the decision for MCA to stay out of government positions was contained in a resolution passed by the party in the last extraordinary general meeting (EGM).

It was not a decision made by one person alone, he said.

MCA candidates who won in GE13, therefore, will have to abide by the decision made by the party, said Tee Yong.

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