The MCA extraordinary general meeting (EGM) today was marred by a walkout of several hundred delegates who had wanted today's agenda to be voted on by secret ballot.
A motion was put forward today to hold the voting by secret ballot instead of a show of hands. However, the motion did not garner the support required.
Among those who had chosen to walk out, former vice-president Gan Ping Sieu (left) said the issue of whether MCA should rejoin the cabinet is contentious, and some delegates don't want to be seen as opposing the party's new leadership.
"Party comrades should be able to make their decision without their fear or favour (whether to rejoin the government) at this time," he said.
Reporters were not allowed to observe the voting process from the hall where it was held, but delegates can be seen leaving en masse as counting for the number of those in favour of rejoining the government, is still taking place.
Gan estimates those who had walked out, to number between 400 to 500.
The motion to hold a secret ballot instead of a show of hands was proposed by central delegate Yap Ah Seng, and seconded by Gan.
However, the motion was only supported by 409 (20.06 percent) of delegates, falling well short of the one-third required by the party constitution.
[More to follow]
A motion was put forward today to hold the voting by secret ballot instead of a show of hands. However, the motion did not garner the support required.
Among those who had chosen to walk out, former vice-president Gan Ping Sieu (left) said the issue of whether MCA should rejoin the cabinet is contentious, and some delegates don't want to be seen as opposing the party's new leadership."Party comrades should be able to make their decision without their fear or favour (whether to rejoin the government) at this time," he said.
Reporters were not allowed to observe the voting process from the hall where it was held, but delegates can be seen leaving en masse as counting for the number of those in favour of rejoining the government, is still taking place.
Gan estimates those who had walked out, to number between 400 to 500.
The motion to hold a secret ballot instead of a show of hands was proposed by central delegate Yap Ah Seng, and seconded by Gan.
However, the motion was only supported by 409 (20.06 percent) of delegates, falling well short of the one-third required by the party constitution.
[More to follow]
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