Dr Chua ... took out advertisements accusing Ong of failing to lead the party. – Picture by Jack Ooi
Describing the information in advertisements in several Chinese newspapers yesterday as inaccurate, Wong said the advertisements accusing Ong of failing to cooperate with Dr Chua and thus, creating a party conflict, was false.
“Not only did the suspended deputy president fail to show his sincerity and action to cooperate with the president, he has also issued statements damaging the party’s image, to the media,” he told reporters after having a discussion with Ong and about 30 of the party’s central committee members here today.
Dr Chua yesterday took out full-page advertisements in several Chinese newspapers focusing on his manifesto in the run-up to tommorrow’s MCA extraordinary general meeting with the theme, ‘Reject, Reunite, Rejuvenate” or 3R.
The advertisments also alleged that Ong was involved in the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal, and failed to garner support from Chinese community leaders to carry out reforms in the party.
They (advertisements) also highlighted the punishment which befell Dr Chua, following the sex scandal in early 2007.
Wong said Ong did not misuse his power as party president in removing Dr Chua as his deputy. Instead, he said, the disciplinary action was a collective decision by the MCA leadership, in accordance with the party’s constitution and was made in a democratic manner.
Meanwhile, MCA will hold a pre-EGM dinner at the Wisma MCA tonight. However, Dr Chua’s supporters are also holding separate dinners at three venues – Corus Hotel, Dynasty Hotel and Federal Hotel.
Asked to comment on the matter, Wong said: “To me, I’m a bit sad that another group is organising another dinner, more or less of the same kind tonight, but delegates from all over the country, irrespective of who they support, should come for the dinner at Wisma MCA because it is organised by the headquarters, not the president or party leaders.”
The delegates can use the opportunity to interact with one another, he added.
Meanwhile, party vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, who was also present at the news conference, reiterated his call for the delegates to make a responsible choice tomorrow, for the sake of the party’s future and the interests of the Chinese community at large.
He said the EGM was crucial as more than a year after the 12th general election, the party faced tremendous internal pressure.
“We were under tremendous pressure from the outside, to reform after the last general election. But now, we are facing pressure, from the inside and we are hoping to solve the problems in the best manner.
“Whatever the decision made tomorrow, we must take into account, the feeling and confidence level of the Chinese community so that we can win back their support in the next general election,” added Liow.
On preparations for the EGM, Wong said all arrangements were in place and hoped to see the proceedings run smoothly. – Bernama
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