Donald: Do away with appointing state chiefs
Malaysiakini.com
Apr 28, 2008
Chan Kok Leong 

MCA vice-president Donald Lim Siang Chai has criticised party president Ong Ka Ting's decision to appoint four new state chiefs last Friday.
MCPX

donald lim mca pj interview 280408 frontimages sizeCalling the move 'undemocratic', the former deputy tourism minister said that it was better to elect the state leaders instead of replacing them according to the whims and fancies of the party's leader.

Ong announced last Friday after the party's central committee meeting that four new state leaders will be appointed.

Debutant ministers Ong Tee Keat, Liow Tiong Lai and Dr Ng Yen Yen have been tasked to head Selangor, Penang and Kelantan respective while Deputy Home Minister Chor Chee Heung will head Kedah.

The four are among five states which are governed by opposition parties Parti Keadilan Rakyat, DAP and Pas under the Pakatan Rakyat coalition.

Perak, which also fell during the last elections, will continue to be led by Ka Ting's brother Ka Chuan. The MCA secretary-general was recently linked to a dodgy land deal in Perak.

donald lim mca pj interview 280408 05Reacting to the appointments today, Lim told reporters in his Petaling Jaya office that “this is the third time that some of the states will have new leaders”.

"If the state chiefs were elected, there would be fewer changes as those leaders would be required to do their jobs for three years. Having three leaders in three years doesn't help anyone."

Lim believed that the constant changing of state leaders does not help the party and that the only purpose it was done now was to strengthen the president's position ahead of party polls this year.

In the same vein, he also suggested that "it is better for him (Ka Ting) not to contest for the president's post this year".

Furthermore, he explained, MCA has enough capable leaders like Chan Kong Choy, Ong Tee Keat, Ong Ka Chuan, Chua Soi Lek and Chua Jui Meng to take over the mantle.

"Three out of the five have already stated their intentions to contest for the top post.

"As such, there is no reason why he (Ka Ting) should feel that he has to lead the party," said the Petaling Jaya Selatan division head.

Unconstitutional policy

ong ka ting interview 140408 06Meanwhile, Lim commented that the statement made by Ka Ting that the party's new direction will include fighting for multi-racial issues was unconstitutional.

"According to Part 2 (Articles 6.5-6.7) of the party's constitution, MCA's role is to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Malaysian Chinese,” he said.

"The constitution also states that MCA should foster, advance and secure the political, social, educational, cultural and economic interests of Malaysian Chinese."

Barring a small mention of other communities under article 6.5, the constitution makes no mention of fighting for the rights of other races, said Lim.

During the 20-minute press conference, Lim informed the reporters that he had received the latest membership roll for Selangor from the central committee yesterday.

"But we've yet to go through the roll," Lim said. "We've 14 days to check this list and inform the party leadership if there are any discrepancies."

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