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Saturday 27 February 2010

MCA To Gauge Grassroot Sentiments On BN Direct Membership Before Deciding

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- The MCA is supportive of the proposal mooted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to allow direct membership in the Barisan Nasional (BN) but will gauge the grassroot sentiments before making its stand.

MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said a four-member committee led by its political education bureau chairman, Gan Ping Sieu, had been set up to conduct study and get feedback from the grassroots on the matter.

Speaking to reporters after chairing the MCA presidential council meeting here Friday, he said the council had also appointed Gan as the MCA's representative in the BN's special committee on the matter chaired by Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

The other three committee members are Legal Bureau chairman Datuk Lim Hong Sang, national organising secretary Simon Lim and central committee member Datuk Ti Lian Ker.

The matter would also be discussed by the party's affairs management committee chaired by deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

Meanwhile, MCA secretary-general Datuk Wong Foon Meng said the grassroots had presented mixed views on the issue.

"We welcome the changes and ideas mooted by the BN leadership. Nevertheless we will discuss and get more opinions from others," he said, adding that the committee was expected to obtain feedback very soon.

Asked about the resolutions submitted by party vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai's faction, Wong reiterated that the matter would be discussed by the Central Committee which would meet next Friday.

Two of the resolutions submitted by Liow's faction last Tuesday were to table the call for fresh polls at the March 7 annual general meeting (AGM) and to amend the party constitution to clip the president's power.

The three-hour presidential council meeting also agreed to set up a "1MCA Community Alliance NGOs Consultative Council" committee whereby Chinese-based NGOs and experts will be roped in to look into issues affecting the nation, especially the Chinese community.

He said five caucuses on politics, economy, education, socio-harmony and culture and arts would be set up.

The meeting also agreed to establish a fund to assist poor students in independent Chinese schools.

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