MCA heading for split?

PETALING JAYA (March 11, 2008): Already reeling from a huge polls defeat, the MCA appears to be heading for a split, with a group mounting a campaign to oust president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting and another defending him.

Today, a group of MCA members launched a nationwide campaign to ask Ong to step down as party president to take responsibility for the party's disastrous performance in the recently concluded 12th General Election.

In an immediate reaction, central committee member Datuk Lee Hwa Beng said Ong should be allowed to revamp the party, as he had declined ministerial duties.

Datuk Theng Book, head of Public Service and Complaints Bureau for MCA Youth and MCA Selangor, said the campaign was organised based on feedback from the grassroots.

In a press conference attended by 15 members, Theng said the leadership should not blame the people for voting against MCA and Barisan Nasional (BN) as they had lost confidence in the party.

“We want reform in the party, otherwise MCA risks becoming irrelevant soon. Members feel that if we don’t voice out now, there will be no future for the party and MCA may disappear from the political arena.”

Theng said Ong should honour his word of building a healthy political culture in the party, and accused him of trying to build an Ong dynasty.

“We can’t accept that he would not take any ministerial post. We want the president, not the minister, to be held responsible. He can continue to be a minister but not president,” he said.

Former Damansara Utama assemblyman Datuk Lim Choon Kin said he did not voice his dissatisfaction against Ong earlier because of the general election. He accused Ong of not listening to the grassroots.

Ong, in a statement, confirmed news reports that he would not take up any ministerial or governmental post but that he would carry out his responsibility as MCA president as mandated by the party delegates.

“I will at this difficult moment, with cooperation from party leaders and members, analyse the whole situation to determine the party’s future direction so that it will play an effective role in the new political scenario,” he said.

He also urged party leaders and members to be calm and objective over the election results.

“The political struggle is a long time task. MCA will continue its aspiration of fighting for the Chinese since its inception 60 years ago. We will not give up despite difficulties,” he said.

Lee Hwa Beng said it is noble of Ong to decide against holding governmental posts. He’s the best person to revamp the party now because he has no baggage of doing ministerial work,” he said, adding that Ong could only lead until 2012 due to the party constitution. - THE SUN

Posted by kasee
Tuesday, 11 March 2008
Malaysia Today