MCA does not belong to Tee Keat or Soi Lek, says Muhyiddin
Muhyiddin says the MCA belongs to the people. — Picture by Choo Choy May
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 — Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin signalled Umno’s growing impatience with the MCA over its leadership crisis today, by pointing out that the party is not the personal property of Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat or Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.
The deputy prime minister told reporters in Parliament that Umno’s main partner in Barisan Nasional (BN) belonged to the Chinese community.
“MCA is not the right of any individual. MCA does not belong to Ong Tee Keat or Chua Soi Lek but belongs to the people, especially the Chinese community,” he said.
The BN deputy chairman said he hoped BN’s second biggest political party would follow its constitution and consider the results of the recent EGM.
MCA is now on the verge of a total collapse because of the leadership tussle between factions within the party.
The party’s Oct 10 EGM failed to resolve the crisis, but has instead plunged MCA into chaos.
Delegates passed a vote of no confidence against Ong as party president. They reinstated Dr Chua’s membership, but did not approve another resolution to specifically restore him to the deputy presidency he had held before Ong sacked him.
Ong’s refusal to resign as party leader last week sparked a revolt of a majority of MCA central committee members led by Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai who was also appointed as the new deputy president.
Dr Chua has also staked his claim on the MCA deputy presidency by asking the Registrar of Societies for a declaration while Ong says he will call for yet another EGM.
A resurgent Umno, fresh from its polls win in Bagan Pinang, is hoping to drive a revival of BN’s fortunes and does not want to be distracted by MCA’s party crisis.
“I, as the deputy prime minister, and prime minister would like to see the leadership problem faced by MCA resolved quickly,” Muhyiddin said.
Muhyiddin pointed out that the leadership crisis would only weaken BN and not help the government.
“MCA is a senior partner in BN so the effect will be big if they do not resolve their situation,” he said.
Muhyiddin refused, however, to comment on Ong’s refusal to resign because he did not want be seen as meddling in MCA.
“I do not want to say that he should or should not leave because other MCA leaders also know what needs to be done by Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat. I have heard many statements and I do not want to be seen as meddling.
“This is MCA’s right and let the party decide but we cannot ignore what has been said by the prime minister. The prime minister and I share the same view,” he said.
Datuk Seri Najib Razak had recently hinted that the MCA leadership should respect the decision of the delegates which passed a no-confidence vote against party president Ong in the EGM.
Muhyiddin also reiterated that BN and Umno would not intervene unless they were asked by MCA’s central committee.
“If there a consensus among the central committee members that the one that could help solve the problem is the president or chairman of BN then BN might have the legal standing to make the decision (to intervene),” he said.
source : themalaysianinsider.comOng Tee Keat’s game of credibility — Richard Wee (loyarburok.com)
OCT 20 — It seems to me, Malaysian leaders don’t care about their credibility, once they reach the level of leadership. It seems to me, Malaysian leaders are thick and will go against their very own word, just to stay in power.
The credibility of a leader may not be the most essential characteristic of a leader, but it is definitely a crucial factor in deciding whether to vote for the person. A person who is more credible will more likely get the nod.
We now see Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat going against his own words that he will resign if he lost the vote of no confidence at the EGM on Oct 10. Ong lost. Whether by one vote or by 1,000 votes, a loss is a loss. Had he won by one vote, it is also the same, a victory is a victory irrespective of the margin.
Ong’s decision to stay on as president of MCA despite his clear and unequivocal words that he will resign if he lost the motion of no confidence has made him less credible. How are we to trust a man who can’t even keep his own word?
But this is a trait common among Barisan Nasional leaders. People who have lost credibility still have the “thick skin” to demand to stay on.
I recall Datuk Seri Najib Razak explaining that Tan Sri Isa Samad’s suspension from Umno for money politics is merely a technical matter and asked that Isa be given a second chance.
But I must say this, Mr Prime Minister — if a man is convicted of a crime, society should consider giving the man a second chance, but when a politician holding posts which involve public accountability, public funds and public utilities, the person must be as credible as possible. Former involvement in corrupt practices will taint his credibility.
The same applies for Ong. He lost the motion of no confidence, and he has said it himself that he will go if he loses. So, as far as I am concerned, Ong has lost his credibility by choosing this course of action. — loyarburok.com
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