KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 19, 2009): About 70 MCA members and members of the public held a candlelight vigil in front of the party headquarters tonight to express their concern and heartache on the state of democracy in the party.
Vigil spokesperson Lai Chee Hoe said Tun Tan Cheng Lock founded MCA not for personal power, nor for any personal prestige or gain but to protect the country’s democracy.
"Of course, (in the) 60 years since its establishment, MCA has made mistakes, but it is utmost important that the party should never forget its founding objectives.
"We want to reiterate that it is not for personal power or prestige; it is for the country and nation," he said.
Lai said the party must believe in democracy because when MCA is void of democracy, it will not be able to convince the people that it will promote and enhance democratisation of the country.
"Sadly, since the Oct 10 extraordinary general meeting (EGM), this is what has been happening. In the eyes of people, MCA’s dignity and reputation is almost gone. MCA is now seen as a joke to the public.
"Dear all, we are just ordinary party members. Some say that a party member carries with him or her the conscience of the party. We are not hoping for anything, but to ask for the favour of our leaders: please save the party’s dignity.
"Dear all, we are here not to support any faction, but simply hope to creating a platform for fellow comrades and members of public who care for the party and share our will to safeguard the party’s democracy. With a candle light each in our hands, we hope to bring back the glow of democracy in MCA.
"With a prayer each in our hearts, we hope MCA will end this turmoil and regain stability in time to create a better tomorrow," he said.
Under the watchful eyes of the police, who gave the group about 30 minutes to conduct the vigil, the participants sang the national and party anthems as well as read out the party regulations.
The gathering was peaceful but after the group dispersed, several individuals put up banners bearing the faces of party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and words such as "Shameless person keeps hanging onto the deputy post, MCA will never revive" and "The party chief has lost both trust and credibility, the Chinese community loses face".
The banners were displayed for only a few minutes before they were confiscated by the police.
Wanita secretary-general Senator Heng Seai Kie, who turned up after the vigil, said she and other six Wanita central committee members had met Ong in the evening asking the latter to reconsider the decision to drop Wanita chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun from the presidential council.
She said the council needed better representations from the wing and Ong is expected to make an announcement tomorrow.
It was also reported in the evening edition of Sin Chew Daily that according to sources, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak may want to the party to have fresh polls by the end of the year during the annual general meeting to avoid the Nov 28 EGM.
Updated: 11:08PM Thu, 19 Nov 2009
http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=40451
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