Wing to lower age limit of members, from 45 to 40, for those who wish to contest party posts
KUALA LUMPUR: DATUK Dr Wee Ka Siong will not be defending his position as MCA Youth Chief after the wing's central committee decided yesterday to lower the age limit of members who wish to contest in the coming party elections from 45 to 40.
Speaking to reporters after chairing a MCA Youth central committee meeting at the party's headquarters, Wee, who turns 45 this year, said members of the committee had unanimously decided to lower the age limit in an effort to reinvigorate the party wing.
"We talked about it and we agreed that there must be a drastic change. MCA Youth members who want to contest must be aged 40 and below. Last time, the age limit was set at 45 and below," he said.
When asked whether he was going to vie for a top position in the party, Wee said: "I have no plans right now."
He said with the new age limit in place, several MCA Youth office-bearers, including his deputy Dr Mah Hang Soon and himself, would not be defending their positions in the coming elections as they were overaged.
MCA Youth and Beliawanis lodged a complaint against a blogger who superimposed photos of observers who attended a recent party function, on pornographic images.
MCA Youth demand police investigate Utusan Malaysia’s Christian Malaysia reports, as well as two blog posts cited by the newspaper.
The youth wing of the Barisan Nasional (BN) party lodged a police report today asking for the Umno-owned newspaper and the blog posts to be investigated under the Sedition Act.
Dr Kow Cheong Wei, MCA Youth publicity chief, told reporters that the police should conduct a thorough probe because race and religion had been abused.
“We do not want and will not allow any party to use these issues, whether Islam or Christianity or any religion to be a propaganda tool in this country.
Datuk Paduka Chew was dropped along with Wee.2 highest post being dropped from CC.The MCA youth chief and Wanite Chief both were embrassed and dropped from CC by Ong.Later Chew was invited by as invited guest for the CC.But the power is different.
In agreement: Ong (seated, third from left) speaking to reporters at a press conference after chairing the central committee meeting at Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. With him are (seated, from left) MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha, Dr Chua, MCA secretary-general Datuk Wong Foon Meng and other central committee members.
The MCA presidential council has been reshuffled with the appointment of six new members to replace six existing ones.
Party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, who also chairs the council, said the reshuffle was done in accordance with the party constitution Article 46.
The new appointees are Datuk Seri Tan Chai Ho, Tan Cheng Liang, Datuk Lee Chee Leong, Datuk Ti Lian Ker, Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon and Heng Seai Kie.
Ong said three leaders — Datuk Loke Yuen Yow, Gan Ping Sieu and Wong Hock Aun — were once again appointed as council members.
Previously, the Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong, Wanita chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, Datuk Chor Chee Heung, Dr Hou Kok Chung, Datuk Wee Jeck Seng, Yoo Wei How, Gan Hong Su, Lee Wei Kiat and Wong Nai Chee were members in the presidential council.
Chor, Yoo and Hong Su were not re-appointed as central committee members on Nov 3.
Asked why the leaders were removed, Ong said: “When I said reshuffle or replacement, somehow or other, certain quarters like to use the word ‘axed’.
“I do not think it is fair because when it is necessary, we have to do it (reshuffle).”
Ong said central committee member Ti would be leading the party’s think-tank Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research (Insap).
He also announced the setting up of a few new committees.
Party deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek will head a committee looking into direct elections in the party.
Treasurer-general Tan Sri Tee Hock Seng will head a new committee looking into mechanisms to distribute funds to divi-sions.
Another committee, called 1Malaysia Community Care Mobile Service, will be led by Wanita national organising secretary Tan Cheng Liang. Vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen is the adviser.
“The mobile service will go around the country and serve all people. It will not be restricted only to MCA members or constituencies,” said Ong.
2nd EGM rejected
The MCA central committee (CC) has, in a majority decision, rejected the second extraordinary general meeting (EGM) planned for Nov 28.
The decision was made during its meeting chaired by party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat yesterday.
Twenty-three of the 35 central committee members present voted against the EGM, while 10 agreed to it. Two members abstained.
“We will inform the central delegates of the central committee decision,” Ong told reporters after the meeting.
He added that the central committee rejected the second EGM because the motions were against the party constitution.
Also in dispute was the notice of the meeting.
On Nov 6, three central committee — Wong Nai Chee, Datuk Wee Jeck Seng and Datuk Liew Yuen Keong — requisitioned for a second EGM to pave the way for fresh party elections.
The group wanting the second EGM is said to be aligned to vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek had on Monday advised all the 2,380 central delegates not to attend the Nov 28 EGM.
He added that the party headquarters would write to the delegates and explain to them why the resolutions — to call for fresh election for the CC and to nullify any appointments or dismissals made by the party president after Oct 10 — were against the party constitution.
Dr Chua added that the three requisitionists had been asked to amend the resolutions but they did not do so.
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MCA Women's wing chief Chew Mei Fun and Youth wing chief Wee Ka Siong made tearful appeals for delegates to turn up at the Nov 28 extraordinary general meeting to press for fresh party polls. ------------------
