Could a third force emerge?

By Zubaidah Abu Bakar (NST)

HOLDING an extraordinary general meeting has always been the best solution to explain a string of questions involving the MCA leadership. 

The last controversial EGM was to endorse the purchase of Nanyang Press Holdings by the party's investment arm, Huaren Holdings, in June 24, 2001.

The most recent EGMs were held on Nov 19, 2004 to endorse an amendment to the party constitution that limits the number of central delegates to the general assembly to 2,400 and on May 27, 2007 to amend the party constitution to provide for the postponement of party elections before last year's general election.

Looking at how the current crisis has developed, culminating in the expulsion of deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, it is doubtful whether an EGM this time will serve the same purpose.

The party, already in tatters, cannot afford to have new conflicts emerging as the rival factions initiate an EGM to resolve the current crisis.

The two-EGM scenario is a reflection of a party that is split down the middle.

MCA leaders are aware of the consequences. Yet both party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and Dr Chua who are at the centre of the current crisis, are playing a very high-stakes political game.

A million MCA members are now staring at the possibility of the party's 2,400 central delegates attending two EGMs, one initiated by Ong, the other by Dr Chua's supporters.

Observers see this as threatening to inflict further damage to this beleaguered party. Already it has faced rejection by a large section of the Chinese community it is supposed to represent.

Ong's decision to call for an EGM comes in the wake of protests by Dr Chua's supporters who have launched a signature campaign among party delegates to call for an EGM.

Ong's intention to "quell speculations, end uncertainties and put to rest elements that will split MCA" by calling for another EGM was scoffed at by Dr Chua, accusing the party president of abusing his executive power and attempting to confuse members.

Questions have arisen as to whether there is a real need for another EGM.

Since the EGM initiated by Ong is likely to be held first because Dr Chua's supporters will need a longer time to get 800 signatures to compel an EGM, the supporters could attend Ong's EGM and state their stand over Dr Chua's expulsion and on the leadership of the party president.

 

All they need to do is to reject the two main resolutions — to seek the delegates' endorsement of the presidential council's decision in sacking Dr Chua and a vote of confidence for Ong's leadership.

And in the event the majority of delegates approve these motions, holding another EGM to seek a no-confidence vote against Ong and to reinstate Dr Chua as deputy president will be academic.

As president, Ong is allowed, in an emergency under Article 165 of the party constitution to bring the EGM earlier than the 21 days notice.

Open statements in favour of the party holding only one EGM coming from party secretary-general Datuk Wong Foon Meng, Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong and vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai may be viewed by some as efforts to frustrate grassroots efforts for their own EGM.

But senior party leaders think it is pointless to have two EGMs to debate the same issue.

Wong's argument that having more than one EGM will waste time because the central delegates will have to travel from their home states to the party's headquarters twice and to avoid using too much time of the party's headquarters staff, is acceptable.

On the ground, MCA members are getting tired of the goings-on in their party.

Grassroots leaders have quietly expressed displeasure with the antics of Ong and Dr Chua. To them, the two leaders are more concerned with the power struggle between them.

There are hints of some grassroots leaders wanting to see both Ong and Dr Chua go and a third force emerge to save the party from imploding.

Those who have remained loyal to the party have witnessed after last year's general election the two leaders at each other's throat, and hardly tackling the huge task of reviving the party that was entrusted to them.

Regardless, whether it is Ong or Dr Chua who manages to hold their EGM first, the crisis is unlikely to be amicably resolved without the two leaders coming to a compromise.