Tee Kiat: EGM old drama with same plot

The upcoming EGM is an old drama with almost the same plot as in 2009 and 2010, said former MCA president Ong Tee Keat, referring to the time when he was the leader.

PUTRAJAYA: Former MCA president Ong Tee Keat said history is repeating itself as the party heads towards another extraordinary general meeting (EGM) with the last one held five years ago due to internal strife.

“It is heart-wrenching to see what is happening. For me it is like a new cast acting to an old drama and the plot is almost the same as in 2009 and 2010.

“I still have the newspaper clipping with me. It seems certain individuals have said the same thing again,” he told reporters when met at a Putrajaya’s function today.

Ong was referring to the EGM held on Oct 10, 2009, which was mooted by supporters of the then MCA deputy president Chua Soi Lek after Ong sacked Chua from the party.

That EGM saw delegates adopt a motion of no-confidence against Ong and resolved to reinstate Chua as a party member but not as deputy president.

The EGM led to the subsequent downfall of Ong in the MCA re-election in 2010.

On Thursday, the MCA central committee adopted a request by 20 pro-Chua CC members to hold a EGM on Oct 20 to table a motion to censure deputy president Liow Tiong Lai over his failure to lead the general election preparation committee.

Three other motions to be tabled on that day were whether the party should reverse its pledge to decline local council, state and ministerial posts.

Ong, who would be attending the EGM as a central delegate, alluded he was in favour of MCA rejoining the government.

He said the “no government pledge” was adopted because MCA did not want to represent the Chinese in the government if the community did not vote for MCA but none of the party seats comprised only Chinese.

“You are not representing the Chinese alone. Even for the seven parliamentary seats and 11 state seats that you won, how do you divide it between the Chinese and non-Chinese?” he asked, implying that the pledge was akin to barking up the wrong tree.

“As a ruling coalition component party, what you should have done is to ensure you play an effective role in bringing up people’s issues such as Chinese education, top students failing to obtain scholarship, public security and household debts,” he said.

Ong has announced recently that he will be contesting for a high post, but not necessarily the presidency in the coming party elections on Dec 22.