Andrew Ong
Nov 19, 097:57pm
More than 70 people - in two separate groups - protested in front of the MCA headquarters today to vent their anger against the latest developments which had plunged the party into further crisis.
The protest came in the wake of the removal of Youth and Wanita wing heads - Wee Ka Siong and Chew Mei Fun - from the party's powerful presidential council, which oversees implementation of party policies, yesterday.
The protest started at about 7.50pm when the first group, consisting of youths mostly, began converging at the doorsteps of the building in Jalan Ampang and started offering a 30 second silent prayer to "safeguard MCA's democracy".
The group, mostly in black, then gave a rendition of the national and party anthem, followed by staging a 20-minute sit-in with candles, while listening to group leader Monna Ong deliver her speech.
"MCA must believe in democracy because when MCA is void of democracy, how can we convince the public that MCA will promote and enhance democratisation of the country," she asked.
She said democracy was the cornerstone of the party, and if betrayed for the sake of retaining power, the party would lose the respect and support of the Chinese community.
'Respect EGM results'
The speech, which did not target any person or group, also said that the party leadership's disregard of the Oct 10 extraordinary general meeting resolutions has severely damaged the party's reputation.
"Sadly, since the Oct 10 EGM, this is what that has been happening. In the eyes of the people, MCA's dignity and reputation is almost gone. MCA is now seen as a joke to the public," she added.
After the short speech, the group continued their sit-in and dispersed without any incident at about 8.20pm.
One of the participants, Lai Chee Hoe, said he attended the protes because, as an MCA member, he was very sad with the current state of party affairs.
"Our emphasis is democracy and that the voices of the delegates (during the Oct 10 EGM) must be respected for democracy to prevail," said Lai, a practising lawyer.
He said president Ong Tee Keat has a moral obligation to step down from his post after losing a no-confidence vote on Oct 10, as he had promised to step down should he lose "even by one vote".
Likewise, he said deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek should respect the delegate's decision not to approve a resolution to reinstate him to the post during the same EGM."We want the party leaders to respect democracy. We don't want to see a repeat - where voices of the central delegates (through an EGM) are not respected and ignored," he added.
Heng jeered, Ong-Chua ridiculed
Following the candlelight vigil, MCA information chief Heng Sai Kee suddenly appeared from the party headquarters and was mobbed by the press.
This was met by jeers from unknown individuals at the scene.
"Heng Sai Kee! You are just here to make a scene! Now you are very famous," shouted one individual.
"Heng Sai Kee! You have everything now. What more do you want?" shouted another.
Heng told the press that she was on her way to her car and had come to meet the vigil participants.
"They are young people who are concerned with the party. This is a good sign. Usually, young Chinese are very cold towards politics," she said.
As Heng left the scene, a small commotion broke out when another group of youths unfurled several banners condemning Ong and Chua.
The posters, all bearing crossed-out pictures of Ong and Chua, were immediately confiscated by the police.
However, the group of 13 people came prepared with paper handouts of the posters which was quickly distributed to the press.
"The shameless person is hanging on as deputy president. Now MCA cannot revive itself" read one poster.
"The party president has lost trust and credibility. The Chinese community has lost face," read another.
'Nab Chua for oral sex'
Spokesperson for the second group Bryan Teoh said his group were not MCA members, stressing that they were neutral in the party conflict, but were concerned with party developments.
He said his group felt the party leaders had disgraced the Chinese community because they cannot be held accountable to their words.
"They mobilised everyone, more than 2,000 people, to Kuala Lumpur for an EGM (on Oct 10) and spent RM700,000. But their voices were all disregarded," lamented Teoh.
He stressed that he was Hainanese, like the party president, and he felt that his clan had been embarrassed by recent events.
He said the party must keep its house in order in order for the young to have confidence in the party and eventually lend their support.
Turning his attention to Chua, Teoh said the deputy president was morally tainted by the sex DVD scandal and should not hold on to his post.
"People are asking me if oral sex is legal in this country. If not, why is there no action taken against him? If everyone can practice oral sex, then Malaysia has no laws!" he said.
About 40 police officers stood watch during the entire proceedings. There were no arrests.
[Additional reporting by Wong Teck Chi]
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