KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 18, 2009) : The MCA Youth and Wanita chiefs were among nine leaders - all aligned to renegade vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai - dropped from the party presidential council today.

(L-R) Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, Datuk Seri Liow tiong lai and MCA Youth chief Wee Ka Siong at MCA Hq today.

The nine are Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong (Deputy Education Minister), Wanita chief Datuk Paduka Chew Mei Fun (Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister), ex-organising secretary Yoo Wei How, ex-deputy organising secretary Gan Hong Su, ex-MCA Information chief Lee Wei Kiat, Deputy Higher Education Minister Dr Hou Kok Chung, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung, Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Wee Jeck Seng and central committee (CC) member Wong Nai Chee.

The unprecedented removal of the two wing chiefs was announced by president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat after a four-hour CC meeting in the party headquarters.

Ong made the reshuffle under Article 46 of the MCA Constitution that reads: "There shall be established from amongst the members of the CC a council which shall consist of the president, deputy president, one or more vice-presidents, the secretary-general, the treasurer-general, the national organising secretary and not more than 10 other members appointed by the president in his absolute discretion, who likewise may terminate such appointment if and when he thinks fit."

The newly appointed council members are: Deputy Secretary-General Datuk Loke Yuen Yow, former minister Datuk Seri Tan Chai Ho, former Penang exco member Tan Cheng Liang, Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong and Deputy Information, Communications and Culture Minister Senator Heng Seai Kie.

Others are CC members Gan Ping Sieu, Datuk Ti Lian Ker, Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon and Wong Hock Aun.

The incumbents retained in the council are Ong, deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, secretary-general Datuk Wong Foon Meng, treasurer-general Tan Sri Tee Hock Seng and four elected vice-presidents - Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha, Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and Johore's Tan Kok Hong.

Ong said: "The presidetial council is reshuffled under Article 46 of the party constitution. It is normal for the reshuffle to take place based on current needs. It is unfair to say that they (the former council members) are axed because, as and when necessary, we need to do a reshuffle," he told a press conference.

Asked whether the reshuffle was part of the Greater Unity Plan (GUP) formulated by him and Chua, Ong reiterated that the plan was not a mathematical model meant for power sharing and "it is time to get the initiatives identified under the plan to work".

Ong said the CC also voted to reject the Nov 28 extraordinary general meeting (EGM) requisitioned by Liow's faction, calling for fresh party elections and seeking to nullify the decisions made by the president on the appointment of CC members after the Oct 10 EGM.

He said a total of 23 CC members voted against the EGM because they agreed that the resolutions were not only unconstitutional but the notices sent out to the delegates were inappropriate as the requisitionists had exploited the party's letterhead in the notices.

Ong also announced that Chua would head a special committee to study the implementation of direct party elections and Tee to head a special committee on the distribution of party funds to the divisions.

In a separate press conference later, Liow said the decision to reshuffle the presidential council made by the CC had "made our hearts bleed".

"We are very sad that this has happened to our CC members. MCA is a family at war now and it is engaging the politics of slash and burn.

"The president has disowned the Youth and Wanita wings in the presidential council. This is a serious matter and it can be seen as the last straw that broke camel's back," he said.

Liow said Ong appointed his own people and eliminated those who disagreed with him so that he can have the absolute power in the council and "absolute power corrupts absolutely".

He said the council decided on important party matters and the wing chiefs cannot be left out.

"The party is at the crossroads now. I urge central delegates to rise and protect democracy in the party by attending the Nov 28 EGM. This is the time to make a decision to change the party for the better.

"MCA must be returned to the politics of values and uphold the fundamental democratic principle. The party must be the catalyst of change, and more importantly of hope for the people and not a soap opera of irrelevance on a path of personal destruction," he added.

Wee and Chew wept in the midst of the press conference.

Wee said Ong's decision to exclude the wing chief was unprecedented in the party history.

"When Ong was a Youth chief, he was not in line with former president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik but he was still included in the council . It is a democratic process to give different views and the wings must be respected although it is the prerogative of the president," he said.

Wee said he and Chew will continue to soldier on to revive the party and also urged central delegates to come out and vote on the Nov 28 EGM.

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