MCA debate turns into anti-Soi Lek 'ceramah'

Even before the all-important MCA extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on Sunday, the open infighting in the Chinese-based party continues to heat up, close to a boiling point.

Amidst calls from current president, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek to censure his deputy while Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai defended his bid for presidency, an ‘open debate’ was called by a anti-Chua group last night.

However, the debate, organised by MCA Safeguard Party Assets Committee chairman Datuk Yew Teong Look, failed to materialise.

Only Yew’s group appeared before a crowd of some 300 supporters and delegates at a hotel, while the invited team, namely Datuk Edward Khoo, Datuk Tan Chin Meng, and Datuk Ei Kim Hock did not turn up.

“We challenged the central committee(CC) members who called for the EGM for a debate because on Sunday, delegates are expected to just vote, it is not fair without hearing the arguments, from Liow and so on,” Yew told Astro AWANI.

The failed debate then turned into ceramah session where Yew gave a speech attacking Chua over the EGM, alongside two other speakers Leong Kim Soon and Ng Chun Yie

“Who makes the call on candidates of the General Election? Who makes decisions on party resources? On determination of seats? It’s Chua, but when the party results was bad, you accuse number two? It’s ridiculous,” said Yew to the applause of the most in the crowd last night.

“My vote is very clear. Liow must be president, Chua must go,” he added.

Yew also pointed out irregularities in the EGM, claiming that it could tantamount to being ‘null and void’ as the 20 CC members who called for it were voted in by the old batch of delegates, and therefore term has ‘lapsed’.

“Now we have a new set of central delegates, shouldn’t these motions be passed by the old batch instead of the new ones, who are now tasked to choose the next set of CC members?”

Meanwhile, on the announcement by former party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat for presidency on condition that it was not a multi-cornered fight, Yew said it was Ong’s right to do so.

“Who knows, I may even announce that I am going for president myself.”

Previously, Yew demanded Chua to give answers on the millions of ringgit worth of party funds he alleged was left unaccounted for.

The funds include, among others, RM212 million in dividends from the 42 per cent stake MCA holds in English daily The Star, and the sale of a donated piece of land in Bangi that was meant for the party’s second headquarters.