MCA's top body revises decision to sack deputy president

MCA's top body revises decision to sack deputy president
By NG SI HOOI and BEH YUEN HUI

KUALA LUMPUR: The MCA central committee (CC) has decided to suspend Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek for four years with immediate effect, revising the presidential council’s decision on Aug 26 to sack him.

“The central committee after due deliberation resolved to reduce the sentence meted out by the disciplinary board and endorsed by the presidential council.

“Hence, the decision to suspend his membership and party post,” the party’s highest decision-making body said in a statement issued after its meeting yesterday.
Meeting the press: Ong speaking to journalists after chairing the central committee meeting at Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur Saturday. With him are (from left) secretary-general Senator Datuk Wong Foon Meng, vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and Wanita chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun.

Party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat read out the statement after chairing the seven-hour meeting at Wisma MCA here.

“In dealing with any disciplinary action, whether or not there is an appeal, the CC has the power to review the presidential council’s decision and make a final decision constitution.

“There were precedents where the decisions of the presidential council had been reviewed,” the statement said.

Dr Chua did not file his appeal against the sacking before the Sept 16 deadline.

On the Oct 10 EGM, Ong told reporters that all the five resolutions remained intact.

The five resolutions are:

* TO move a motion of no-confidence against Ong;

* TO annul the presidential council’s decision to expel Dr Chua;

* TO reinstate Dr Chua as MCA deputy president;

* TO revoke any appointment made before the EGM; and

* THAT no disciplinary action be taken against the EGM requisitionists.

Ong said the CC also decided to lift the suspension of Ipoh Timur MCA division chief Datuk Thong Fah Chong with immediate effect.

Thong has been on a six-month suspension since July 28 for tarnishing the party image over a land matter in Pasir Pinji, Ipoh.

Meanwhile, CC member Datuk Seri Tan Chai Ho said it was inappropriate for the committee to review Dr Chua’s sacking since an EGM was to be held on the matter.

Tan, who is aligned to the former deputy president, said the suspension would prevent Dr Chua from contesting in the next party election scheduled for 2011.

“Dr Chua left the decision whether to reinstate or sack him in the central delegates’ hands and did not appeal, thus the CC has no right to review the decision to sack him,” he said in a joint statement with the other two EGM requisitionists Loh Seng Kok and Datuk Chong Itt Chew.

He said it was not normal procedure for the meeting to discuss the matter because the party had approved holding the EGM.

The three left the meeting in protest over the CC’s decision.

Blogger:

This is what we called playing politic. This revised decision in a way will make the delegates think otherwise during the EGM. It has reduced the impact on the EGM to be hold on Oct 10, 2009 on the MCA central committee, especially against Party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.

That is why they said politic is a game of possibilities. If you don't give up, anything is still possible. Life is also like that.