Sunday May 12, 2013

Polls and new direction for MCA at the top of Dr Chua’s action list before he steps down as party president

By FOONG PEK YEE, EILEEN NG and ISABELLE LAI
newsdesk@thestar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said he will quit as MCA president after he has put the party in order.

Citing the upcoming party elections as one of the matters which needed to be tackled, he said these would begin at branch level next month.

Dr Chua said the elections would take five months to complete and party secretary-general Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha had been tasked to ensure the entire process be conducted in a fair, democratic and transparent manner.

“For the party to move forward and remain united and stable, the presidential council has unanimously decided that the elections start at the earliest date possible,” he told reporters after chairing the council meeting at the MCA headquarters here yesterday.

On Friday's calls by several party veterans for him to step down immediately, Dr Chua said: “But a majority also want me to stay.”

He reiterated that he would step down at an appropriate time. Asked to state a date, he said it would be some time between June and December.

Dr Chua said he would not go just because a few people had asked him to, reiterating that he would not seek re-election. “I will not contest at the national level.”

Dr Chua with his deputy Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai (left) and party secretary-general Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha at the presidential council meeting.

Dr Chua said the party would also abide by its decision to not accept any government position as the results of the general election were worse than in 2008.

The decision is a resolution endorsed by the MCA general assembly in 2011 and 2012.

“I want to emphasise here that the resolution did not come from me, (deputy president) Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai or anybody (in particular),” he said, adding that it was a collective decision of the council and central committee.

Dr Chua said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was aware of the resolution which was made out of respect for the voters' decision.

Asked what if Najib went ahead to appoint Cabinet ministers from MCA, he said: “When the Prime Minister decides to do that, I will answer your question.”

Enlightening the media: Dr Chua, (right) Liow and council members holding a press conference after the meeting.

On MCA becoming irrelevant without any government post, he said this was a political reality the party had to face.

Even with ministers and deputy ministers, he said, some people claimed that MCA had become irrelevant.

Dr Chua said the council had appointed Liow to head a special task force to map a new direction for the party.

He also said all complaints of internal sabotage during GE13 would be referred to the party's disciplinary board for further deliberation, adding that complaints should be accompanied with evidence.

Dr Chua said that MCA service centres nationwide would continue to operate, adding that some were closed temporarily as the grassroots leaders were taking a break after campaigning hard for the general election.

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Sunday May 12, 2013

Polls and new direction for MCA at the top of Dr Chua’s action list before he steps down as party president

By FOONG PEK YEE, EILEEN NG and ISABELLE LAI newsdesk@thestar.com.my

By FOONG PEK YEE, EILEEN NG and ISABELLE LAI
newsdesk@thestar.com.my