Former Teratai Assemblywoman Jenice Lee Ying Ha today filed a suit against DAP on her expulsion from the party.
Lee, 33, who filed the suit through the legal firm of Messrs. Harjit Sandhu at the Civil High Court registry here, named DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng as the defendant.
In the statement of claim, Lee (picture) seeks a declaration for her membership in DAP since 2001 to be reinstated immediately, cost and other relief deem fit by the court.
She claimed that her expulsion from the party, which she knew through the media last April 20, was null and void because an investigation by the Registrar of Society (ROS) revealed that the election of the party’s central executive council (CEC) members, held in December last year, was not in accordance with the DAP constitution.
In the recent 13th general election, Lee, the former Selangor DAP publicity secretary, contested as an Independent candidate for the Teratai seat, but lost.
DAP Bagan Luar branch chairman G. Asoghan showing his letter of termination signed by DAP disciplinary committee chairman Tan Kok Wai.Former Teratai assemblyman Jenice Lee says she will seek legal redress over attempts by DAP officials to sack her
Without RoS recognition, they claim that disciplinary committee has no power to fire them
GEORGE TOWN: FORMER Teratai assemblyman Jenice Lee yesterday said she will seek legal redress on any attempts by DAP officials to terminate her party membership.
Lee said the announcement by DAP disciplinary committee chairman Tan Kok Wai on April 20 that she had been sacked for contesting in the 13th General Election as an independent candidate was null and void because Tan's position was not recognised by the Registrar of Societies (RoS).
"It is my belief that the letter signed by the purported disciplinary chairman is null and void as his position is not recognised because of the alleged party Central Executive Committee election irregularities raised by 753 DAP delegates," she told a press conference yesterday.
Fighting spirit: Lee (right) answering a question during the interview at Menara Star in Petaling Jaya.
Sacked DAP leader Jenice Lee who is defending her Teratai state seat as an Independent claimed that she is the most “winnable” candidate in the contest.
Despite going up against four others as well as one DAP comrade, she claimed that the support from those who showed up to cheer her on during Nomination Day was a lot more than the DAP candidate.
“Show me which DAP branch here does not support me. All of them proposed my name for candidacy to the party. This only shows that the leadership refuses to listen to the grassroots,” she said in an emotionally-charged interview on Switchup.tv's GE13: The Showdown with journalist Regina Lee.
Leaders of the Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu (GAS) said the movement will soon release a 30-minute VCD on why MIC chief S Samy Vellu must step down sooner rather than later.
Thousands of copies of the VCD - in both Tamil and English - will be distributed to Indians and other members of the public within two weeks, they told a press conference in Petaling Jaya this afternoon.
However, former deputy MIC Youth leader and central working committee member V Mugilan declined comment on the mode of distribution of the VCDs, noting the high possibility of sabotage if details are revealed.
Among others, the VCD will portray Samy Vellu's failures and explain why he should relinquish his position as party president.
Former MIC deputy youth chief V Mugilan has called today's Gerakan Anti Samy (GAS) rally at the Mines Convention Centre in Serdang a success, despite the use of "gangster tactics" to derail the event.
Only 3,500 people turned up for the rally when Mugilan had expected 15,000.
Mugilan pinned the blame on the disappointing crowd-size on money being slashed to stop people from joining to the rally.
"RM5 million has been spent to stop people from coming to the rally," claimed Mugilan.
"Buses from Penang and Pahang have been stopped. RM5,000 was paid for every bus not to come today."
Neverthelss, Mugilan said GAS had succeeded in reaching out to the rakyat to convey its message loudly and clearly.
KP Samy Klang businessman and Party CEntral working committee sacked by Samy Vellu using presidential power.
In a sign of desperation, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu today sacked two more critics from MIC in a bid to stem the tide of voracious criticism against his presidency which enters its 31st year.
Samy Vellu exerted his presidential powers to fire KP Samy, a Klang businessman, and G. Kumar Aman, a businessman from Kajang, from the party’s central working committee (CWC) days after they supported a call for the president to leave office by year’s end.
Expelled MIC Youth deputy chief V Mugilan said he would launch a mass movement called GAS (Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu) to campaign against the long-time party president.
At a press conference today, the rebel leader said the campaign will kick off with a gathering in Kuala Lumpur on May 30.
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. ------------------
Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai (centre) flanked by an emotional Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun (left) and an equally teary Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong at the press conference at Wisma MCA today
L-R) Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun (dropped), Datuk Seri Liow tiong lai and MCA Youth chief Wee Ka Siong (dropped) at MCA Hq today.
Wee and Chew Sack from CC with other 9.
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.
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.
Ong is Corrupted Power-Liow said
Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai today blasted MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat after the latter reshuffled the presidential council and dropped eight members seen to be aligned to Liow.
In a dramatic press conference which saw axed former presidential council members Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong and Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun shed tears, Liow spoke of lofty principles such as democracy and lamented the alleged lack of it in MCA.
“The president elected his own people and eliminated those who disagreed with him so he can have absolute power in the presidential council and absolute power corrupts absolutely,” said Liow.
“MCA is a family at war. MCA is engaging in the politics of slash and burn. The president disowned the youth and wanita. This is a serious matter. And this can be seen as the last straw that broke the camel’s back.”
Liow urged MCA delegates to “rise up” and turn up in full force at the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on November 28 that is proposing fresh party polls.
“This is the time to make a decision to change party for better. MCA must return to the politics of values and uphold the fundamental democratic principles,” he said.
Liow however acknowledged that Ong was within his rights as president to appoint new members to the council.
Wee, who used up a pile of tissues during the press conference, pointed out that when the MCA president was the youth chief, he was still elected to the presidential council even though he had conflicts with then president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik.
He vowed to fight on to “return democracy” and prevent the party from being “monopolised” by just a few.
A visibly agitated Chew likened the dropping of the youth and women’s wing chiefs from the presidential council as making the “MCA without wings”.
Ong however defended the move saying that “as and when we need to reshuffle, we will do it.”
The sweeping revamp of the presidential council could trigger a wave of sympathy for Liow and his allies although response to the EGM that they have called has been lukewarm so far.
Liow however says he is confident of getting the required quorum of one third of the 2,377 central delegates for the EGM to be valid.
“I have been going around the country and receiving warm and strong support for the EGM,” he told reporters.
Sources say however that the situation may not be as bad as it seems as behind closed doors in the central committee meeting, Liow, Ong and Dr Chua had indicated that they would try and resolve party issues eliciting a clapping of tables from central committee members to show “happiness.”
The source also maintained that even though Wee who is deputy education minister, deputy higher education minister Hou Kok Chung and deputy home minister Datuk Wira Chor Chee Heung were dropped from the presidential council, it is likely they will be invited back to attend meetings as the council is a platform for the party to discuss government cabinet matters.
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