Wee and Chew: It was Ong who wanted to step down

Written by Sharon Tan, The Edge  

MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong and Wanita chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun have denied that the central committee (CC) had forced president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat to step down at its meeting last Thursday.

In a joint statement today, Wee and Chew said after the party’s EGM on Oct 10, it was Ong who said it was his moral obligation that he would step down. They also revealed that Ong had also asked both of them along with central committee member Wong Hock Aun to draft a “resignation statement” for him.

“The statement was prepared in the meeting room on the 9th floor of the MCA headquarters and it was handed over to him (Ong) to decide what to do next.

“To ensure a smooth power transition and his resignation was done in a fine manner as well as for Wee and Chew to attend the CC meeting before they left the country, the committee had decided to hold the meeting on Thursday,” they said.

Both Wee and Chew said the purpose of the Oct 10 EGM was to resolve problems and not to “create bigger ones”.

“We regret that he (Ong) had questioned the outcome of the Oct 10 EGM and refused to accept the outcome. Even he had said that he would respect and accept the results of the EGM.

“If both sides continue to take their stand, MCA will be victimised. What if the outcome of the next EGM is another 50:50? Do we need to call for a third EGM to confirm the result of the second EGM?

“We urge everyone to accept the outcome of the EGM and stop the argument. We are disappointed that some people had twisted the facts and attacked us as well as other leaders via SMS. For the sake of MCA’s future, we insist that we are doing the best for the party,” they said.

In an immediate response, Ong, when met at the parliament lobby today, only said, “That’s good” when asked on the joint statement.

In another press conference, newly appointed deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said he was saddened by Ong’s statement that his party comrades had betrayed him and forced him to step down.

“I am upset that someone said I have betrayed a friend. It was never my intention to topple him but it was him who told us his intention to resign,” he said.

It has been reported that 20 CC members had allegedly signed a letter to force Ong to step down but it was later refuted by secretary-general Datuk Wong Foon Meng and Liow, both of whom said the central committee members had only requested to negotiate with Ong.