Soi Lek, Tiong Lai owe MCA members explanation

MCA risks facing an unprecedented integrity crisis that could further damage its image if party leaders involved in the peace deal refuse to come clean about it, said former party vice-president Gan Ping Sieu. He warned that now the legitimacy of the Dec 21 party election and its new leadership were also in question, following the revelation by immediate past president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek that a deal that he had struck with his successor, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, had been violated. The latest controversy that hit the party would also hamper the party's recovery process and its struggle to regain public confidence, he told a news conference here Tuesday. "Both of them have the duty to clarify and explain to party members and central delegates (about the deal). Liow should not evade this issue," he said, adding that they should also reveal the content of the deal, including the parties involved in striking the plan. Last week, Chua alleged that Liow had violated the deal signed before the party election, in which Liow was said to have agreed to appoint Chua's men to several key positions in the party in exchange for support from Chua and his camp. Gan, who had bid for the presidency but lost narrowly to Liow, said he was greatly disappointed by Chua's revelation. "I am also disappointed with Liow. Why does he have to enter into such an agreement? If this becomes an acceptable practice then in future we do not need to have elections," he said. In his immediate response to reporters after chairing the MCA's first presidential council meeting at Wisma MCA, Liow said the legitimacy of the party election did not arise as it was conducted in a transparent and democratic manner. "I hope everyone will respect the outcome of the election and, please, do not underestimate the wisdom of the central delegates," he said. Liow said he would focus on transforming the party rather than deal with the peace plan which, he said, was already past, and called on all party leaders and members to consolidate to move the party forward. On another note, Liow said the presidential council also agreed to set up the MCA's Higher Education Institutions Coordinating Committee to coordinate courses offered by Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman and the Tunku Abdul Rahman University College. The committee will be chaired by former MCA president, Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik. Liow said the MCA would hold a Chinese New Year 'open house' at its headquarters here on Jan 31.