By Lee Wei Lian- The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 – Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai admitted tonight that MCA’s central committee was against the idea of fresh elections, as shifting alliances and party infighting pushed the MCA to the brink of collapse.
In a dramatic turn of events, supporters of Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek are now understood to be backing his bitter rival Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat’s push for fresh elections as a way out of the impasse.
“The central committee had discussed fresh elections but most of us did not agree because we need a way to stabilise the party.
“The central committee unanimously elected me to fill the vacancy of deputy president and I accept it with a heavy heart and vow to carry on my duty to consolidate the party and push for reforms,” said Liow tonight.
Liow said it was the MCA president’s right to call for an EGM but it had to be in accordance with the party constitution.
Earlier today, the central committee meeting saw a clash between Ong and supporters of Liow, who had backed the president in last weekend’s EGM.
The Malaysian Insider understands that Ong was repeatedly asked if he would resign since he had lost a confidence vote at the EGM.
The president refused and instead invoked his right to call for another EGM to decide if fresh elections should be held.
Liow’s appointment has split the central committee and put him on a collision course with Ong.
The Malaysian Insider understands that Liow won the election today by a simple majority.
Liow was speaking to reporters tonight at the Marriott hotel. He was flanked by vice president Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong, Datuk Kong Cho Ha, Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, and Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun.
It is understood that Kong had also been proposed for the deputy presidency during the central committee meeting but he declined.
Ong was also spotted going into the Ritz Carlton hotel next door just before Liow met reporters.
Meanwhile Chua’s supporters is said to be backing Ong in this fight.
“This is the only mechanism available to call fresh elections as the other way is to have two thirds of the central committee resign and they have declined,” a source
If fresh elections are called, both Ong and Chua are likely to contest for the presidency.
But with Ong now clinging on to the party presidency, Chua could also stake a claim to be still the deputy president.
Ong is not constitutionally bound to resign as he can only be forcibly removed by two-thirds of the general assembly. Last weekend’s motion of no confidence was narrowly passed by only slightly over half of the delegates.
As Chua’s party membership was reinstated by last weekend’s EGM, his backers are also arguing that this automatically means he should be reinstated as the party No 2 as well.
If Chua pursues this line of argument, he could potentially challenge the central committee’s decision to appoint Liow to replace him.
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