LDP crisis: EGM sacks party chief, endorses his deputy

(The Star) – Over 60% of the 761 delegates at the Liberal Democratic Party extraordinary general meeting endorsed the rival faction led by sacked deputy president senator Datuk Chin Su Phin.

The 468 delegates, who turned up for the EGM here on Sunday, also endorsed the removal of embattled party president Datuk V.K. Liew.

In a series of moves since late August, Liew had sacked Chin and 27 of the 35 supreme council members to stave off any challenge to his leadership.

The delegates, who included from Liew’s Tanjung Papat division, approved eight resolutions, including revoking all the sackings and suspensions of supreme council members and new appointments by Liew.

State Special Affairs Minister Datuk Teo Chee Kang, who was sacked by Liew as the party secretary general, said that 61.5% turnout of party’s legal delegates was a clear signal to Liew and his faction to accept the voice of the majority.

“It is obvious from the results that Liew Vui Keong (VK Liew) has lost the support of the majority. This EGM is the turning point as all uncertainties has been made certain. I urge Liew’s faction to face the political reality,” Teo said.

Teo said they welcomed any move for reconciliation and admitted that they have been approached by senior Barisan Nasional leaders to work out a compromise.

“It is too early to comment on it,” Teo said after the EGM that saw delegates from 26 of party’s 31 divisions turning up.

As signs are becoming clear that Liew is not planning to give up his team’s positions to the rival faction, both groups are likely to hold their respective annual general meeting on Oct 20.

Liew’s faction will be holding their AGM in Sandakan while Chin’s group will hold theirs in Kota Kinabalu.

It is understood that the Registrar of Societies have started investigations into the internal problems of LDP and have interviewed the leaders involved.