KOTA KINABALU: Two Sabah MCA leaders have called for the resignation of party president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek for what they described as MCA’s disappointing performance in the 13th general election.
Sabah MCA deputy chief Datuk Paul Kong and Sabah MCA secretary Kelvin Lim both were of the opinion that Chua must take full responsibility for the losses suffered by MCA candidates and should therefore resign voluntarily as the party president.
They, however, stressed that calling for Chua’s resignation was their personal opinion and does not reflect the view of Sabah MCA as a whole.
“In view of the disastrous and humiliating results suffered by my beloved party MCA as announced after polling two days ago, our party president Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Chua Soi Lek should be held responsible for the worst ever general election results.
“Dr Chua should take full responsibility by immediately resigning from his post as the party president. As both MCA Johor and MCA Perak of which he is chairman have also suffered massive losses in the 13th general election, I hereby strongly urge him to resign immediately so as to pave the way for the installation of a new party leadership which will help redeem some of our pride and dignity and rebuild our party in order to be well-prepared to face our future challenges,” Kong said.
The MCA Penampang division chief felt that any further delay in Chua’s resignation will cause more resentment from the grassroots leaders and members as well as embarrassment to the party.
Kong who is the only elected MCA Central Committee member from Sabah, congratulated Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak for leading BN to a resounding victory, albeit short of some expectation.
“I would also like to say congratulations to our beloved Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman for having led BN Sabah to an excellent results despite the strong ‘wind of change’ propagated by the opposition,” he added.
In a separate statement, Lim pointed out that resigning is the only honourable and appropriate action as a responsible leader.
Lim said he called for Chua’s resignation with a heavy heart but it is in the best interest of the party, citing that MCA only managed to retain seven parliamentary and 11 state seats in the 13th General Election, which is the worst ever blow to the party in its 66 years of history.
He especially pointed out that Chua whose credibility is seriously tainted by the internationally-infamous sex scandal, has been a liability to the party and the main cause behind its terrible defeat in the general election.
“Thus, Chua Soi Lek is no longer suitable to lead MCA. If he continues to lead, MCA will end up in ‘Holland’ (as good as dead). We could not afford to waste more time. Chua Soi Lek must immediately step down and hand over his post to a more capable leader for a revamp in the fastest possible time,” he stressed.
Lim added said Chua should emulate the honourable move of former MCA president Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting who voluntarily stepped down from his post, after MCA’s poor performance in the GE12 in 2008, where the party only retained 15 parliamentary and 31 state constituencies.
“Now that MCA only managed to retain seven parliament and 11 state constituencies, should Chua Soi Lek unashamedly stay on until the next party election?” he asked.
Lim also reminded that when its former Wanita chief, Chew Mei Fun, resigned on April 9, 2009, Chua had said that “leaders come and go”.
Furthermore, Chua had also voluntarily resigned from all his posts following the sex scandal caught on CCTV.
“So, there’s no reason for him not to gentlemanly and gracefully step down, this time,” he said.
Lim added that as a matter of fact, Chua had not only become a ‘laughing stock’ but also an insult to the Chinese community in the country.
He further noted that Chua’s eccentric nature and penchant for condemning his own comrades had added salt to its wounds.
Lim also chastised Chua’s decision of giving away three of its promising seats to Umno in the 13 General Election, which gave its opponent, the DAP especially to question its capability of defending and championing the rights and interest of the Chinese community.
His fielding of candidates comprising those who are close to him, too had caused great discontent among its leaders and members, added Lim.
“Furthermore, as a party president whose morality and credibility is seriously tainted by sex scandal, how could he claim to be an effective leader for the Chinese community? How can he champion their rights and interest?” Lim asked.
He reiterated that so long as Chua remains, it would be difficult for MCA to rejuvenate to regain its past honour and glory.
Thus, he urged MCA members throughout the country to unite so as to wade through this difficult time together, and to push for a new and capable line-up of leaders for the party.