KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 19 — The MCA central committee has overturned a presidential council’s decision to sack Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek with a four-year suspension, a bid seen to knock the wind out of his campaign to unseat party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.
The presidential council decided on Aug 26 to sack the 62-year-old deputy party president for tainting the party image via a sex video scandal, triggering off a backlash from Chua’s supporters who initiated an EGM to reinstate him and remove Ong. The EGM will be held Oct 10.
“In dealing with any disciplinary action, whether or not there is an appeal, the central committee has the power to review the presidential council decision and make a final decision on the matter,” said Ong after a seven-hour central committee meeting.
He added that all five proposed resolutions for the upcoming EGM will remain intact.
This means that the future of both Chua and Ong in the party will still be determined at the crucial EGM.
The decision to change the sacking to a suspension is perceived by some as an attempt to reduce the level of sympathy among some delegates who were upset at the way Chua was booted out of the party.
Some of Ong's supporters were also dismayed by the strong action against the popular Chua.
With tonight' decision, none of the delegates to the EGM can claim that Chua has been sacked.
However, the second proposed EGM resolution, if adopted, will annul the decision by the central committee to suspend Chua.
Chua was not immediately available for comment.
In an immediate reaction, Loh Seng Kok, one of those who had pushed for the EGM, said that it was “not appropriate” for the central committee to review presidential council’s decision as Chua had already submitted his fate to the general assembly at the EGM.
He added that the four-year suspension was to prevent Chua from holding any party posts and also from contesting in the next party elections.
Ong claimed, however, that it was normal procedure for disciplinary cases to be reviewed by the central committee.
Asked for reasons for the sacking to be turned into a four-year sentence, Ong replied that it was because of “due diligence” by the central committee.
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