There must be room for dissent, says Ong

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat is unfazed by the emergence of a “third power” in the party’s leadership dispute.

Commenting on the group’s call for his removal as president, he said it was best left to the wisdom of the delegates to decide the fate of the party at tomorrow’s extraordinary general meeting (EGM).

Ong, who is fighting off a challenge from suspended deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, said delegates had the right to speak up.

He said the party must make room for dissent, but it did not necessarily result in majority support from the 2,377 voting delegates.

“Anyone can claim anything in a democracy like ours. The delegates will take into consideration the best interests of the party,” Ong said after launching the 1MCA 1Team theme here yesterday.

Ong acknowledged that his team was new and untested when he took over after party elections last October, but said delegates had had enough time to judge them since then.

He admitted the need for the party leadership to go back to the delegates and report on its progress, regardless of the outcome of the EGM.

“There was no endorsed list at last year’s MCA elections. It is time for us to get back to the central delegates to report.”

On the 1MCA 1Team launch, Ong, who is also the transport minister, said it was a showcase of the party’s on-going transformation as it navigated “through difficult paths in addressing national issues, while growing more fortified in the process”.

“MCA as part of the government has to convey the people’s needs and aspirations. We have to quickly identify the needs of the people and convey them to the government.”

Ong said the 1MCA 1Team theme went hand in hand with the three thrusts of the party’s transformation: addressing the nation’s economy, being proactive in mainstream politics and enhancing inter-ethnic relations.

“MCA’s methods not only serve the Chinese community but also all communities.”