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Wednesday, 29 July 2009

MCA Members To Face Disciplinary Action For Criticising Party Via Media

KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Bernama) -- The MCA Presidential Council at its meeting Tuesday decided that party members who make statements which threaten the party's position or criticise the leadership through the media will face disciplinary action.

Party secretary-general Datuk Wong Foon Meng said he had been given the mandate by the council to monitor statements made by members on the party through various channels, including the blogs and speeches.

"If they have made statements that threaten the party's position or criticised the party through the media, they will have to face questioning by the party's disciplinary board," he told reporters after attending the Presidential Council meeting, here, today.

He said the decision was in line with Article 123A of the party constitution, and denied that it was made to curtail members' freedom of expression.

Wong said party members could voice their opinions through suitable channels as voicing opinions should be aimed at solving problems.

He also gave some suggestions on how party members could convey their views, including meeting face-to-face with the party leaders.

Asked whether the decision was made due to certain factors, he did not deny that of late statements made by some members had a negative impact on the party.

"The Presidential Council meeting decided that this should not be allowed to go on or it would be detrimental to the party," he said.

MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong who was present at the press conference, said the statements the council meant were those which were defamatory or false.

Meanwhile, Wong said the disciplinary committee's move to reinvestigate certain cases were not based on selection as reported by the media.

"The committee needs to resolve the cases as soon as possible, including cases handled by the previous disciplinary committee," he said.

Wong also said that steps to restructure the party would be taken, which was decided at today's meeting, besides on the membership procedure and rules on opening a new branch.

He disclosed that direct elections for state party chairmen and party president would be discussed later as the matter required indepth study, as well as the views of members and the party's legal advisors before a decision could be made.

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