Tee Keat: Soi Lek’s view on Perak not MCA stand
By Sharon Tan, The Edge
MCA Deputy President Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek’s view on Perak is not reflective of the party’s stand on the constitutional crisis in the state.
MCA President Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said by and large the party, as a whole, has never decided on meetings with opposition leaders.
Asked if the party did not approve the meeting, Ong, who was briefed by Chua on the meeting, said: "I never said any meeting or any individual leaders of the party whenever they want to see anybody, you have to seek approval. I didn’t say that. I don’t think I need to sound that autocratic right?"
On Monday, Chua met with PAS Vice-President Datuk Husam Musa to discuss amongst other things, the on-going crisis in Perak. Both leaders agreed on dissolution of the state assembly to pave way for fresh election.
On whether dissolution of the state was the party’s stand, Ong said the party was alerted of the meeting between Chua and Husam but did not convene a meeting to sanction or discuss that arrangement (meeting between Chua and Husam).
"We have not held any meeting on our own to discuss whether he should proceed with such a meeting," said Ong today at the Franchising and Exhibition Seminar organised by the MCA Youth Economic Task Force in Wisma MCA.
On whether it was acceptable for party leaders to meet with opposition leaders, Ong said a decision must be made at a meeting before the party could say whether such meetings were "ok or not ok".
"In this case (referring to Chua’s meeting), there was no such meeting (party meeting) so whether it is 'ok or not ok' does not arise."
Pressed on MCA’s stand on the Perak crisis, Ong said: "Even when you talk about dissolution of the state assembly, normally the dissolution needs to be triggered by the menteri besar who would be seeking an audience with the Sultan.
"But now if both sides of the divide insist that their choice of the MB is the legitimate one, at the end of the day does it mean to say there are two representations made?"
He said the best thing to do is to wait for the court's decision.
"It is not tactics or whatever but sometimes we need to drive home the simple message that the simple logic need to be observed," he said.
Commenting on Barisan Nasional’s (BN) decision not to field any candidate in the upcoming Penanti by-election, Ong said BN’s main agenda is to give priority to the country’s performance and future and the people’s interest.
On whether BN is sensitive to the Penanti constituents’ interest who wanted BN to contest and represent them, he said it could be just a perception of certain quarters, adding that if they were to take into account all the needs of the people, there would be no end to the matter.
"What is important, as a ruling party we must have own standing as to what is good and unreasonable for the people. We cannot follow others’ beat, especially those who has political motive," Ong added.
