Kuala Lumpur, Thu -- Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat is hanging on to
the presidency of the MCA, saying he has "unfinished business" involving the
party after the MCA central committee today elected Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai as
deputy president.

Ong said he had directed party secretary-general Datuk Wong Foon Meng to
call for another extraordinary general meeting (EGM), this time to decide if
there should be a fresh election of the CC.

"I still have a long list of unfinished business involving party and public
interests, like the direct election of the MCA presidency and the Port Klang
Free Zone issue. It is my wish to see such issues addressed without any
abrupt disruption," he said in a posting on his blog that appeared within
minutes after the close of the five-hour CC meeting at Wisma MCA.

Following is the text of Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat's statement explaining his
decision to stay on as MCA president which was posted on his blog after the
party's central committee meeting today: 

"I would like to thank my supporters from all races and all walks of life
who have shown deep concern and showered me kind words and encouragement
following the MCA 10/10 EGM. I am heartened by the call urging me to stay as
President of the Party.

Over the years, my political career has been guided by my conscience and the
peoples’ aspirations. People who know me well know that I uphold my principles
in my political practice. It has never been my practice to renege on my words,
including what I had pledged earlier with regard to the outcome of the EGM. 

Nonetheless, the disciplinary action was a collective decision of the
Presidential Council and Central Committee. Hence, the onus and responsibility
is not on me alone, but collectively.

That being the case, I had proposed to have fresh polls to seek a fresh
mandate from the Party, especially the outcome of the EGM was inconclusive and
indicate that the grassroots were divided. The best way out of this situation is
to seek the re-affirmation of the MCA leadership.

However any hopes for fresh poll was dashed because certain quarters are
worried that I would renege on my words and decide to stay as the Party
president. This is absolutely baseless.  

Because of this, today I have decided to go back to the grassroots. I have
directed MCA secretary-general to call for an EGM under Article 30.1 of the MCA
constitution to decide whether the Party should hold fresh poll for the Central
Committee. The EGM/AGM will allow delegates to end the impasse over whether the
Central Committee should seek a fresh mandate.

I also would also like to congratulate Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai on his
election as the deputy president after due deliberations by the Central
Committee.

Last but not least, I need to tender my apologies to the people if they felt
that I have not lived up to their expectations. I want to assure them that so
long as I continue as a Member of Parliament and remain a discerning Malaysian,
I will continue to pursue the PKFZ case in whatever capacity available to me. To
my aspiring MCA colleagues, I must apologise if I stand in the way of your
political ascendency. That has never been my intention.

To the genuine Party members and workers, please do continue with your
endeavour to help strengthen the Party but do refrain from playing into the
hands of manipulators and opportunists. 

Life has to go on and I have no regrets over any decision and endeavour I
had embarked upon." - Bernama

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