Some delegates at the MCA extraordinary general meeting (EGM) caused a commotion today over the absence of debates in today’s proceedings.
However, the chairperson Loke Yuen Yow dismissed their calls for a debate, saying this is the meeting agenda decided by the central committee.
The meeting had started at about 10am today with the delegates voting to approve the short notice of the AGM and the returning officer.
However, as Loke finished reading out today’s agenda, a delegate stood up and apparently demanded a debate.
Details of the exchange were unclear as he did not use a microphone and, unlike previous meetings, the media is confined to a room separated from the San Choon Hall were the meeting took place.
Members of the press can only observe the proceedings through an audio-visual feed.
However, the chairperson Loke Yuen Yow dismissed their calls for a debate, saying this is the meeting agenda decided by the central committee.
The meeting had started at about 10am today with the delegates voting to approve the short notice of the AGM and the returning officer.
However, as Loke finished reading out today’s agenda, a delegate stood up and apparently demanded a debate.
Details of the exchange were unclear as he did not use a microphone and, unlike previous meetings, the media is confined to a room separated from the San Choon Hall were the meeting took place.
Members of the press can only observe the proceedings through an audio-visual feed.
Avoiding a precedent
Loke replied that in accordance to the precedents set during previous EGMs, the central committee sets the agenda and any changes would have to be made at that stage.
“I see that both sides are equally matched and very confident. Why do we still need a war of tongues?” he said, eliciting a mix of cheers and jeers.
Loke explains the situation again, but failing to calm the situation, he raised his voice saying, “If you are feeling emotional, please take it up to the ballot paper and not on the chairperson.
“If I set this precedent, then I fear it would create a lot of problems in future meetings whenever someone proposes to change the agenda,” he said.
One delegate Lee Kim Yew, who was among those who called for a vote on whether to allow for debates, said that this amounts to treating the delegates as a rubber stamp.
“Since there is no debate, this means all the proceedings has been decided by the central committee before the meeting, and the boss (delegates) don’t have a say,” he told reporters later
Loke replied that in accordance to the precedents set during previous EGMs, the central committee sets the agenda and any changes would have to be made at that stage.
“I see that both sides are equally matched and very confident. Why do we still need a war of tongues?” he said, eliciting a mix of cheers and jeers.
Loke explains the situation again, but failing to calm the situation, he raised his voice saying, “If you are feeling emotional, please take it up to the ballot paper and not on the chairperson.
“If I set this precedent, then I fear it would create a lot of problems in future meetings whenever someone proposes to change the agenda,” he said.
One delegate Lee Kim Yew, who was among those who called for a vote on whether to allow for debates, said that this amounts to treating the delegates as a rubber stamp.
“Since there is no debate, this means all the proceedings has been decided by the central committee before the meeting, and the boss (delegates) don’t have a say,” he told reporters later
Confusion over ballots
Nevertheless, voting started at 10.40am and ended about an hour later, but not without raising more complaints.
Each delegate were issued four ballot papers - one for each resolution - and the first paper is A4-sized whereas the other three were smaller.
Party deputy president Liow Tiong Lai told reporters outside the hall that some delegates mistook the first ballot paper for an instruction sheet.
Some delegates were also observed rushing back into the hall after casting their ballot upon realising the error, but were not allowed to vote again.
Separately, another delegate Chong Aik Chang told reporters that he too almost made the same mistake, but then realise that there were four resolutions.
The first ballot paper pertains to whether Liow should be censured.
Before voting started, Loke at told the delegates that they are to receive four ballot papers, but reminded the delegates again soon after voting start upon realising that some delegates did not vote on the first resolution.
As of writing at 2pm, the votes are still being counted and results are expected later today.
Each delegate were issued four ballot papers - one for each resolution - and the first paper is A4-sized whereas the other three were smaller.
Party deputy president Liow Tiong Lai told reporters outside the hall that some delegates mistook the first ballot paper for an instruction sheet.
Some delegates were also observed rushing back into the hall after casting their ballot upon realising the error, but were not allowed to vote again.
Separately, another delegate Chong Aik Chang told reporters that he too almost made the same mistake, but then realise that there were four resolutions.
The first ballot paper pertains to whether Liow should be censured.
Before voting started, Loke at told the delegates that they are to receive four ballot papers, but reminded the delegates again soon after voting start upon realising that some delegates did not vote on the first resolution.
As of writing at 2pm, the votes are still being counted and results are expected later today.
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