It is not going to end so soon
The party elections will be very chaotic as other than the Ong, Liow and Chua factions, as well as the third force, there will be also other forces that hope to gain benefits for their own. The party will further split if there is no single faction that can suppress all the others.
By LIM SUE GOAN/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily
Everyone wants the MCA party crisis to be ended as soon as possible so that all parties can immediately unite, to avoid affecting BN. But it is only a wishful thinking. Based on the current situation, it will take at least two months, or six months if the situation turns worse, to end the party crisis.
If President Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat is unable to get rid of the myth and insists on convening another Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), the resolution of dissolving the Central Committee (CC) will be passed under the support of both the Ong and Chua factions. Then, MCA will have to hold a fresh party elections. The electoral arrangements are expected to take a month’s time. If there are other obstacles, the party crisis will have to go through Merdeka Day, Hari Raya, Deepavali, Christmas and probably the 2010 Chinese New Year. During the period, party affairs will as well be suspended.
Deputy President Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and other 20 CC members wish to resolve the crisis and re-integrate the party through the CC, instead of a fresh party elections. If they want to solve the problem so easily, they must first deal with the President. However, it seems that Ong is firm in his decision to hold another EGM and perish together with the CC.
| “Therefore, they are ready for a fresh elections at this moment.” |
Liow has two ways to “settle” the President. Firstly, they can vote no-confidence in Ong through the CC. I believe that the Liow faction can easily get support from half of the CC members. However, it will only undermine the President’s dignity and he may still insist not to resign.
Secondly, Liow can convene his own EGM and let the central delegates to sanction the President. But he will need the support of two-thirds of the central delegates in order to depose the President. He will not succeed if the Chua faction does not support him.
The President holds considerable power. The Liow faction will not be able to stop another EGM unless the BN President interferes. This is the time for the Chua faction to take actions. Many leaders who were defeated in the party elections last year, wish to have a fresh elections. Therefore, they are ready for a fresh elections at this moment.
The party elections will be very chaotic as other than the Ong, Liow and Chua factions, as well as the third force, there will be also other forces that hope to gain benefits for their own. The party will further split if there is no single faction that can suppress all the others.
The Ong and Chua factions were evenly matched in strength before this. But now, the Ong faction has split. Even Ong has been deserted, it is conservatively estimated that he still holds 10% of support. It seems like the Chua faction is going to achieve victory since the Liow faction has to take precautions against both the Ong and Chua factions. When the leadership is in temporary shortage and the President is acting in bad faith, it is simply fair and reasonable for former Deputy President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek to contest for the President position. Even if he does not contest for the position, the Chua faction can still recommend other candidates.
If Chua really succeeds in returning to the leadership core, the Ong faction will be caught in its own trap and eventually lose all. They can only blame themselves to have been led by the nose by the President.
The MCA crisis this time is more interesting than any film and the plot is more complicated than martial art fiction. But the tragic character is the protagonist and thus, it is doomed to be a tragedy.
