KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- A total of 2,307 central delegates began casting their ballots at the MCA's extraordinary general meeting (EGM) at its headquarters here on Saturday in the hope to put to an end to the deepening tussle between the party's president and his suspended deputy.
The voting began at 10.35am at the San Choon Hall after the delegates were briefed on the rules by Speaker Datuk Yip Phooi Hong.
The turnout when registration closed at 10.30am was 96.93 per cent. A total of 2,380 central delegates are eligible to vote in this EGM.
The delegates will vote on three resolutions, all tabled by suspended deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek's supporters and boldly accepted by president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.
The resolutions are to move a vote of no confidence against Ong, to annul the presidential council's decision on Aug 26 in accepting the recommendation of the disciplinary board and the subsequent decision of the central committee to expel or suspend Dr Chua and to restore Dr Chua as the rightful deputy president of the MCA.
Originally, there were five resolutions, the other two being that the appointment made by the central committee, including that of the deputy president of MCA, be revoked and that there shall be no disciplinary action taken against any or all of the requisitionists by the disciplinary board, the central committee or the presidential council.
However, Yip announced this morning that the last two resolutions were removed as they were non-issues.
The 60-year-old Chinese-based political party has been plunged into a bitter tussle since both men were elected to the posts in the party elections on Oct 18 last year.
The situation worsened after the presidential council sacked Dr Chua in late August following the exposure of his sex scandal in 2007.
The party's powerful central committee later reduced the expulsion to a four-year suspension.
Meanwhile, Wisma MCA was abuzz with activity as the top party leaders arrived early and took the opportunity to mingle with the delegates who were having their breakfast.
Dr Chua, who was not entitled to vote, arrived as early at 8am to meet the delegates and left as the EGM begun.
"If three of the agendas are passed, I can go 'home'," Dr Chua said, adding that "home" referred to the MCA.
Ong, who looked upbeat, told reporters that he was confident of the wisdom of the central delegates in making the best decision for the party.
The EGM also attracted wide media coverage as more than 200 journalists, including those frome the foreign media, started to arrive at Wisma MCA as early as 6am.
Meanwhile, security at the venue was heightened with some 30 police personnel put on guard to prevent any untoward incident.
A police squad with two dogs was also seen checking the vicinity of the MCA headquarters at 7am.
Among the 73 absentees at the EGM was former president Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting.
Voting will take an hour and the results are expected to be known at 2pm.
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