By Alan Ting
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- All eyes will be on the meeting of MCA's powerful body, the Central Committee (CC), on Thursday as party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat is expected to quit his post as a matter of principle and moral obligation.
Meanwhile, party vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai is being regarded as the most popular successor.
Another vice-president, Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha is largely tipped to be the next deputy president should the meeting decide that Ong step down.
Therefore, based on the current situation, Liow is to be highly recommended by the CC to take over the president's post should Ong's resignation be accepted.
It is learnt that some CC members had reached a "consensus" during a discussion among themseves on Saturday and they are going to recommend Liow as the successor.
It is said that Liow is the most suitable successor at the moment as he is clean and moderate and possesses certain leadership qualities.
However, the selection of the successor may not necessarily be based on the person's ranking in the party.
For example, Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting, who received the third highest number of votes (for the V-P post) and Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy, who was in fourth spot, were chosen as party president and deputy president in 2003 instead of Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn and Datuk Chua Jui Meng, who respectively received the highest and second highest votes.
Age is also not an issue for the 47-year-old Liow to take over the office should the CC decide to accept Ong's resignation. Former presidents, including Ka Ting, Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik and Tan Sri Lee San Choon became president before the age of 45.
Furthermore, some CC members believe that another fresh party election may cause further split in the party, dragging the crisis deeper and affect the party's image in the eyes of the public who have viewed the EGM's outcome badly.
Learning from last Saturday's EGM, some argue that another party election may lead to a leadership split and cause another party crisis.
However, there are CC members who disagree with this view as they believe that the top party leaders should be voted in by the party's delegates in a fresh election.
Based on the latest indication, it seems that all the four party vice-presidents have come to some agreement over the post-EGM matter.
The four vice-presidents are Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen and Johor executive councillor Tan Kok Hon.
When contacted, all of them refused to comment except Dr Ng who confirmed that there was discussion among themselves, but it was not on the succession plan.
"We only discussed about the stability and direction of the party, and we unanimously agreed that unity is important to the party now. We have not come to any conclusion, as we said the party should come together.
"No, we did not discuss about the succession. The situation is so unpredictable that no one wants to predict anymore. We've just got to wait until the CC meeting on Thursday," she told Bernama here on Tuesday.
Whatever the argument, the CC meeting this Thursday will be crucial in deciding Ong's fate. He is scheduled to return from overseas tomorrow and attend a religious function in Jenjarom tomorrow night.
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- All eyes will be on the meeting of MCA's powerful body, the Central Committee (CC), on Thursday as party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat is expected to quit his post as a matter of principle and moral obligation.
Meanwhile, party vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai is being regarded as the most popular successor.
Another vice-president, Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha is largely tipped to be the next deputy president should the meeting decide that Ong step down.
Therefore, based on the current situation, Liow is to be highly recommended by the CC to take over the president's post should Ong's resignation be accepted.
It is learnt that some CC members had reached a "consensus" during a discussion among themseves on Saturday and they are going to recommend Liow as the successor.
It is said that Liow is the most suitable successor at the moment as he is clean and moderate and possesses certain leadership qualities.
However, the selection of the successor may not necessarily be based on the person's ranking in the party.
For example, Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting, who received the third highest number of votes (for the V-P post) and Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy, who was in fourth spot, were chosen as party president and deputy president in 2003 instead of Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn and Datuk Chua Jui Meng, who respectively received the highest and second highest votes.
Age is also not an issue for the 47-year-old Liow to take over the office should the CC decide to accept Ong's resignation. Former presidents, including Ka Ting, Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik and Tan Sri Lee San Choon became president before the age of 45.
Furthermore, some CC members believe that another fresh party election may cause further split in the party, dragging the crisis deeper and affect the party's image in the eyes of the public who have viewed the EGM's outcome badly.
Learning from last Saturday's EGM, some argue that another party election may lead to a leadership split and cause another party crisis.
However, there are CC members who disagree with this view as they believe that the top party leaders should be voted in by the party's delegates in a fresh election.
Based on the latest indication, it seems that all the four party vice-presidents have come to some agreement over the post-EGM matter.
The four vice-presidents are Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen and Johor executive councillor Tan Kok Hon.
When contacted, all of them refused to comment except Dr Ng who confirmed that there was discussion among themselves, but it was not on the succession plan.
"We only discussed about the stability and direction of the party, and we unanimously agreed that unity is important to the party now. We have not come to any conclusion, as we said the party should come together.
"No, we did not discuss about the succession. The situation is so unpredictable that no one wants to predict anymore. We've just got to wait until the CC meeting on Thursday," she told Bernama here on Tuesday.
Whatever the argument, the CC meeting this Thursday will be crucial in deciding Ong's fate. He is scheduled to return from overseas tomorrow and attend a religious function in Jenjarom tomorrow night.
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