MCA president calls for EGM

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat has instructed party secretary-general Datuk Wong Foon Meng to convene an emergency general meeting (EGM) within 30 days.

Ong, who is also the Transport Minister, said he had decided to call for an EGM under Article 30.1 of MCA’s constitution just as the country was celebrating Merdeka Day to give party members to reflect on where it should be heading next.

“It is also to allow members to deliver a verdict on the decisions made by the MCA leadership - whether on its renewal and rejuvenation efforts, on disciplinary cases or in the handling of the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) issue.

“With the EGM, I also hope to quell speculations, end uncertainties and put to rest elements that will split MCA as it seeks to regain public support in time for the next general election.

“I am prepared to accept whatever verdict the EGM delivers,” he wrote in his blog on Monday.

Describing the holding of the EGM as a “serious matter”, Ong said he believed in listening to the members’ voice, which was the reason he made direct election of the MCA presidency part of his electoral pledges in last year’s party poll.

“I fervently believe in transparency and accountability. If I were afraid or do not subscribe to these principles, I would have easily brushed aside dissenting views in the party and carry on with what I am doing.

“But that’s not me, as one can see from the level of transparency and accountability I place in dealing with the PKFZ issue,” he said.

Ong said he believed that with sufficient explanation and briefings, members would make the right choice on what was best for the party.

“I have faith that at the end of the day, we will be able to see past fiery emotions and will put the party above everything else,” he said.

When contacted, Wong confirmed that he had received the instruction and said he would start making preparations for the EGM today by issuing a notice to inform delegates of the date, time and venue for the meeting.

Issues expected at the meeting are the PKFZ project, the presidential council’s decision on Aug 26 to sack deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and other matters.

Wong said to convene an EGM, it would require 200 central delegates or one third of its total number of 2,402 delegates, which was around 800 - whichever was less - to meet the quorum.

“The EGM may dismiss any party official if at least two-thirds of the delegates present at the meeting voted for such a resolution,” Wong said.

Ong’s call for an EGM came at a time when Dr Chua’s supporters were gathering signatures from central delegates to convene an EGM of their own under Article 30.3, of which they would need 800.

They started collecting signatures in Federal Territory, Selangor and Johor from Sunday.

Among others, they sought to nullify the council’ s decision to expel him and reinstate him as deputy president, and a no confidence vote against Ong.