Embattled Wanita MCA chief Chew Mei Fun has today quit all party and government posts, making good on her promise to step down should Dr Chua Soi Lek be elected party president.

Speaking at the party headquarters after attending the Wanita central committee meeting this afternoon, Chew said she could not bring herself to accept the present party’s situation as it contradicts the principles and values of Wanita MCA.

mca wanita cc meeting chew mei fun 080410 01 “I think that in upholding our principles and the moral values of Wanita, we need someone to clearly convey our stance and belief. But the party needs to move on, so let me convey that message alone,” she said.

Chew will relinquish her positions as Wanita MCA national and Selangor chief as well as the head of the MCA Crisis Relief Squad.

Explaining that her appointment as deputy women, family, and community development minister is due to her position as Wanita chief, she also tendered her resignation as senator and deputy minister effective April 29.

"From tomorrow onwards, I will be on leave until April 28," she said.

Chew left the central committee meeting before it concluded after she was done briefing the Wanita leaders on her departure.

 

‘He’s no good role model’

In a statement later, Chew took jibes at Chua without naming the newly-elected party boss.

NONE “If we accept, without question, leaders who are no good role models, it will send a negative message...  that our party accepts and condones such corruption notwithstanding our wholesome and respectable culture,” the statement said.

Chew stressed that it was her duty to uphold the values of gender equality and respect for women’s rights.

"I still believe in the party's mission and goal. I will continue to serve the party without compromising my principles," she said.

“But at the same time, if I were to keep silent... and do not take any action towards safeguarding these core values, I would feel much ashamed given the high hopes placed upon me by sisters in Wanita MCA, who firmly uphold these principles."

NONE Earlier, some 100 Wanita MCA members lined the entrance of Wisma MCA where the party headquarters is located in support of Chew.

The supporters sported banners which read, ‘Honouring your word is noble, but honouring your pledge to Wanita is paramount’, ‘We support you, Chew Mei Fun. No resignation, you have not relegated your duty, why resign?’ and ‘Stand by your principles to uphold Wanita dignity’.

Chew moved to tears

When Chew arrived at the headquarters at about 12 noon, she was soon moved to tears as the crowd chanted: “Chew Mei Fun, don’t go! Chew Mei Fun, we support you! Chew Mei Fun, we need you!”

NONE After the central committee meeting ended, Wanita MCA released a statement expressing regret over Chew’s resignation.

“We have appealed to Chew to reconsider her decision... In spite of our many calls and pleas, we regret to inform that she remains firm in her conviction and decision to resign,” it said.

NONE In November last year, Chew had said that she would quit her post if Chua, who was involved in a sex DVD scandal, became the party president.

Following the resignation, deputy Wanita chief Yu Chok Tow ( right ) will assume the helm as new chief while Gelang Patah MP Tan Ah Eng will step in as the new deputy.

Chew, who remains a party member, can still make comeback at the next party polls, which is due in one year.

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