FZGRAPHICS
While
a 'peace plan' would be ideal for the internal fighting in MCA, its history has
proven that it will not work.
PETALING JAYA (Dec 7): Some might
think a “peace plan” would stop the internal sword-fighting after the party
poll, but the history of MCA politics has shown that this is not going to work.
Furthermore, this will strengthen
the perception that MCA leaders are after party posts and personal political
interest, and this is exactly why the voters deserted them in the 2008 and 2013
general elections.
Senior MCA leader Datuk Yap Pian Hon
also reacted strongly to the peace plan in the making.
“This plan will kill democracy in
the party as the new leadership will be arranged after negotiations,” Yap told fz.com
in a phone interview.
He said this will not make MCA look
good to the voters when it should be talking about reform, transformation and
democratisation.
Yap, who is also a former
vice-president, said the plan may work in the short term but the infighting
will happen again because the team that was put in place was not chosen by the
grassroots according to their assessment of the candidates.
“The central delegates must be given
the opportunity to assess these leaders’ performance and goals and then make
their choice. Then the new team that is born will not be monopolised by certain
factions,” he said.
Yap said a free and fair party poll
will ensure that the party can retain quality leaders and be respected.
MCA president Datuk Seri Chua Soi
Lek admitted that he is talking with deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai
to forge a peace plan to ensure a peaceful transition. However, there are some
issues both sides still have not ironed out yet.
It was reported that under the plan,
Liow and MCA national youth chief Datuk Wee Ka Siong will be the No.1 and No.2,
while two leaders from the both factions: Chua’s son Datuk Chua Tee Yong and
Datuk Lee Chee Leong, as well as Chew Mei Fun and Hou Kok Chung will be the
vice-presidents. Also, Chua will get 13 central committee members and Liow’s
faction will get 12.
Tee Yong and Lee Chee Leong had
announced yesterday that they are going to contest for the vice-president’s
post. Another 13 leaders from the Chua faction have also announced their
intention to contest for posts on the Central Committee.
The MCA will hold its party poll on
Dec 21. Liow, former president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and vice-president Gan
Ping Sieu are expected to engage in a three-cornered fight. However, with
nomination day scheduled for Dec 16, there are still uncertainties about the
talks that are going on among the leaders.
07.12.2013
