MCA Women's wing chief Chew Mei Fun and Youth wing chief Wee Ka Siong made tearful appeals for delegates to turn up at the Nov 28 extraordinary general meeting to press for fresh party polls.

During a press conference shortly after being dropped from the party's presidential council, the duo, in between tears, said that a strong showing at the EGM was vital to restore democracy in the party.

NONE The dramatic press conference began with vice-president and Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai stating that the group's "heart bled" following the axing of nine individuals from the council.

"MCA is a family at war and is presently engaged in the politics of slash and burn. The president disowned the Youth and Women's wings chiefs. This is a serious matter and it is the last straw which broke the camel's back," he said.

"The president elected his own people and eliminated those who disagree with him so that he can have absolute power in the presidential council, and absolute power corrupts absolutely," he added.

With this, he urged party delegates to "rise up to the occasion" and attend the Nov 28 EGM in order to "restore democracy in the party".

"This is the time to make a decision to change the party for the better. MCA must return the politics of values and uphold democratic principles.

"The party must be a catalyst of change and more importantly of hope for the people and not a soap opera of irrelevance on the path of personal destruction," said Liow, who was reading from a prepared text in English.

'Democracy is dead'

Meanwhile, both Wee and Chew derided the majority of the central committee for attempting to find faults with the Nov 28 EGM notice and resolutions.

According to Wee, the notice followed the Oct 10 EGM notice to the letter, adding that only the font size was slightly bigger.

NONE Chew on the other hand lamented that democracy was no longer existent in the party after today's events and struggled to fight back tears during her statement.

"There are only 12 of us (central committee members supporting the EGM). We may be the minority, but we represent the spirit (democracy) of why this party was founded.

"This, must be supported by all party members and central delegates," said Chew as her voice cracked with emotion.

"Today, we are very, very sad over the death of democracy in our party. It is time for members, through the Nov 28 EGM to vote and protect MCA's 60-years of democratic values," she added.

During her emotional plea, Wee suddenly burst into tears and continued crying for more than a minute.

Wee compares Ong to Liong Sik

Earlier, Wee took a swipe at MCA president Ong Tee Keat for failing to recognise and respect the importance of the Youth and Women's wing in the presidential council.

NONE "When Ong was Youth chief, he was at odds with the (then) party president ( Dr Ling Liong Sik), but he was still appointed into the council out of respect for the Youth wing.

"I feel sad over what has happened. In the democratic process, we can have different opinions but the Youth wing should be given recognition," he said.

Wee said Ong now only wants loyalists in the council, forgoing tradition and conventions to appoint the heads of the two wings, and effectively removing any check and balance mechanisms.

He opined that the central committee today acted against the greater unity plan, which was mooted by Ong in order to unite warring factions.

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