Chua advises Liow not to contest in upcoming party polls

MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek today advised his deputy, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, against contesting in the coming party polls to allow the new generation to take over the party leadership.

He described Liow as "weak" and not suitable to be the party leader.

"He (Liow) should be with me to not contest the post. I know because I have been with him for four years and understands his personality," he told a media conference at Wisma MCA today.

Dr Chua, who had announced that he would not defend his post in the coming MCA election, said Liow should give way to the young generation to helm the party if he loved MCA.

He mentioned several names who could help to rejuvenate the party and they included vice-president Gan Ping Sieu, Youth leader Datuk Wee Ka Siong and Central Committee (CC) member Datuk Chua Tee Yong.

Meanwhile in IPOH, CC member Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan urged the party to cancel the extraordinary general meeting (EGM), scheduled on Oct 20, as it would be used as a platform to criticise Liow.

He said he could not see the rational for the EGM to be held as the party would be holding its annual general meeting in December.

"I am not siding Liow, but he represents the young people who are trained to take over the leadership at all levels in the party.

"If we are to hold an EGM to criticize a leader from the group, I think it is cruel," he told reporters here today.

Ong, who is the former MCA secretary-general, said the party leadership should not place delegates in a difficult position, especially with the party polls to be held soon.

"Give Liow a change to contest in the MCA election. Whether he becomes president or not depends on the delegates," he added.

Last Oct 3, Dr Chua said the EGM would be held to censure Liow for disrespecting the decision of the CC to suspend Pulai Sebatang Assemblyman Datuk Tee Siew Keong for accepting the appointment as a state executive councillor by the Sultan of Johor.

An internal conflict was sparked when Liow and 13 other CC members, through a petition on September 9, requested for an EGM seeking to revoke Tee's suspension.