Kong ready to lead MCA

Kong ready to lead MCA
Giam Say Khoon

Kong Cha Ha

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 11, 2009): MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Kong Cha Ha says he is ready to fulfil his responsibilities should he be asked to lead the party, after the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on Saturday rejected the leadership of the incumbent No. 1 and 2.

Contacted by theSun, he said: "MCA leaders' responsibility is to serve the party, which included the possibility of being appointed to any position in the party. However, that will still depend on the MCA central committee (CC) as to whether they want me (to lead the party) or not," he said in a phone interview today.

On Saturday, the central delegates passed a motion of no confidence against party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat with a 14-vote majority while literally sacking Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek a deputy president.

Kong, who is housing and local government minister, stressed that the outcome of the EGM must be taken into consideration by Ong and the CC and the decision to be made must be also be based on the delegates' decision.

Asked whether Ong should stay on as the president as the party constitution did not require him to step down even though he is no longer enjoyed the majority support of the delegates, he said: "As a responsible president and a person of principle he (Ong) knows what to do."

Ong had before the EGM said he would resign if he failed to get the majority support of the delegates.

In the party election last year, Kong garnered 1,798 votes in the vice-presidential race, followed by Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai (1,725), Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen (1,659) and Tan Kok Hong (1,329).

So far, only Kong and Ng had spoken up regarding the outcome of the EGM.

It was reported that Ng, who is the only woman vice-president, had said the decision of the delegates should be respected and it was time for the four veeps to sit down and discuss about the future of the party, including the candidacy for the president and deputy president's posts.

Ong Tee Keat

Chua Soi Lek

Earlier, the third force within the party, which had urged the delegates to oust Ong and Chua, also said it wanted a group management leadership for the party and a new leadership would be selected from the current CC.

Meanwhile, party secretary-general Datuk Wong Foon Meng said the CC meeting on Thursday would discuss whether Ong should stay on as president or not.

"The CC will analyse the outcome of the EGM and will seriously discuss at great length all possible avenues and explore all options available to come out with the best solution in the interest of the Chinese community.

"The majority of the CC members have earlier advised the president not to make any decision irrespective of the outcome of the EGM until the president refers to the committee, to which he has agreed," he said.

Wong also urged party leaders to stop making speculations on the matter until the committee deliberates on it.

To a question, he said the CC would decide whether to accept or reject if Ong tendered his resignation in the meeting.