NOV 7 — There was a lull from both factions for a few days after the MCA extraordinary general meeting on Octoberober 20 (EGM2010). One faction expected at least 60 per cent of the ballot but received 44 per cent. The other believed 55 per cent plausible and actually got 54 per cent. Two per cent of the votes were spoilt.
I am referring to the rejected first resolution asking the central delegates to censure the deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
One thing is for certain about the results — both factions were reeling with disbelief, confirming the adage that nothing is ever what it seems.
There seems to be a consensus that the October 12 front page savagery (weak, indecisive and non-fighter Liow) in The Star was the single most potent vote swing factor.
A top BN leader commented that it was “never in our culture to humiliate one’s deputy that viciously, simply based on one’s (Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek) opinion”.
Dr Chua led the party to the worst general election results ever and refused to accept personal accountability by stepping down immediately. Instead, he challenged the deputy to step down together.
Are we then to believe that his “weak”, “indecisive” and “non-fighter” deputy hammered the president into submission on:
● Initiating the “no government post” resolution (retarding the party’s pipeline into the core new village support with the elimination of 11,000 plus appointments)?
● The choice of 37 parliamentary and 90 assembly seat candidates, surrendering three parliamentary seats (including the winnable Wangsa Maju seat)?
● Conducting “... arguably the most unsuccessful advertising campaign in the history of the Malaysian media industry” (the anti-opposition advertising campaign during GE13), all of which are factors to the disastrous results?
Earlier this week, three-term assemblyman and 30-year grassroots leader Datuk Lee Hwa Beng was “shocked, baffled and aggrieved” to receive an expulsion letter from the party.
“The party had abused the rules of natural justice and my so-called termination is a sham,” he said.
His blog was cited but he doesn’t own one. With regards to his Facebook, for all he knows, it could be for promoting a not so funny joke.
Lee thinks the objective was most probably to deny him his vote as a central delegate in EGM2010, and eventually for the December 21 election. His demeanour over this sacking suggests he will pursue this issue vigorously, including his Anyone But Chua Soi Lek (ABC) movement.
Datuk Yew Teong Look, the initiator and chairman of the Safeguard Party Assets Action Committee (SPAAC) was given a copy of the petition to the Disciplinary Board for action against him. It was signed by the party treasurer-general and Federal Territory Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Seri Tan Chai Ho.
Yew has been relentless in pursuing answers to the sale of the Bangi land donated by the late Tan Sri Loh Boh Siew for the party’s new headquarters-cum-training centre.
It appears a building fund of RM4 million had already been collected during the tenure of the former president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik.
Talk has it that the donation carried a land usage qualifier. Perhaps it’s time Dr Ling steps out to help clear the matter.
And the infamous, “where is the RM212 million?” — the balance of RM319 million accrued during Dr Chua’s presidency — after he announced that the party assets had grown by RM107 million during his term. There are a few other issues under SPAAC’s radar.
Dr Chua has reiterated at least twice that he will stand by his no-contest announcement on May 6. Since then Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong has upped the ante by saying he will not be contesting if Dr Chua reneges on his decision not to contest. Wee also quashed rumours of any internal discord when he clearly stated that he would not contest any position that Liow was contesting.
The MCA’s nemesis, DAP, secured 38 parliamentary and 106 assembly seats, totalling 144 representatives in GE13. The MCA’s peak was in GE11 securing 31 and 76 respectively, totalling 107.
If in direct comparison for best performance, DAP’s would be 105 (144 less 23 of non-Chinese descent and less 16 from Sarawak. Peninsula BN has no presence in Sarawak).
However, MCA’s GE13 performance resulted in the now comical 7-11 moniker (seven MPs and 11 assemblymen). It’s a misnomer though as the namesake store is known for its operations never being closed while the party is dangerously close to being the opposite.
The MCA’s 7-11 representatives draw no traction with the Pakatan Rakyat. And, their muscle in the BN must be contingent heavily on just “old times’ sake”.
Now being speculated in the Chinese press is that Dr Chua will contest, with vice-president Gan Ping Sieu running for deputy president. The happenings in the MCA are fast becoming a bad parody.
The continued “power struggles” is on the wrong stage. The targeted electorate is from the general election and not the party general assembly.
Dr Chua had his day and he must allow the party to transform without him or cause their early demise.
When the MCA cannot contribute its share to the BN, it gives the BN justification for going full throttle with the only supportive constituents left. Can the MCA be contributing to our polarised state, however unwittingly?
The senior coalition partner is only being realistic. Well, isn’t PAS louder with the welfare state concept than their hudud law blandishment of late?
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malay Mail Online.
