Tun Mahathir suggests Najib help MCA resolve leadership crisis

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad feels that both MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and his former deputy Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek must take the cue from the outcome of the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on Saturday and resign. He also suggested that PM Datuk Seri Najib to help MCA to resolve the current crisis.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 – Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today suggested that Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak help the MCA resolve its leadership crisis.

However, the former BN chairman said this should be done behind the scene so as not to touch the sensitivities of any quarter.

“I must confess that when I was BN chairman I did interfere but quietly behind the scene, not openly, as some people may be sensitive. As BN chairmen we can intervene in component parties,” he told reporters here.

Dr Mahathir, who was met at a ceremony to launch a book on ‘The Speeches of Umno Presidents’, was asked to comment on whether BN should intervene in the MCA leadership crisis.

Asked if MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat should step down following the adoption of the no-confidence resolution against him at the party’s extraordinary general meeting on Oct 10, Dr Mahathir said the step would be apt.

“I cite (former Umno president, the late) Datuk Onn Jaafar (who resigned after his views were no longer accepted by Umno), if we want to have a lesson from that, we can.

“But it is not just Datuk Ong Tee Keat alone, another person also did not get this (support),” he said.

Earlier when speaking at the event, Dr Mahathir characterised the action taken by Onn as that of a wise man and was among Onn’s biggest contribution to Umno.

“He should have been the first prime minister but his suggestion could not be accepted by Umno so he willingly quit. This was Datuk Onn’s biggest contribution.

“When we are no longer popular or our opinions are no longer accepted we should not create problems, but step down honourably,” he said in his speech.

The event was officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and also attended by relatives of past Umno presidents. – Bernama

Tun Mahathir : Don't field Isa for Bagan Pinang

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Tan Sri Mohd Isa Samad should not be nominated as candidate for the Bagan Pinang state by-election as he has been found guilty of political corruption.

PUTRAJAYA: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Tan Sri Mohd Isa Samad should not be nominated as candidate for the Bagan Pinang state by-election.

He said Umno's image would be affected because it would be regarded as not being serious in fighting money politics if it chose those who had been found guilty of political corruption.

"Isa has already been found guilty. If Umno fields him, it means that Umno is not serious about such cases.

"Even if he can win there, (we) have to consider what the whole of Malaysia thinks of Umno," he said in an interview yesterday.


He was asked to comment on speculation that Isa, the Teluk Kemang Umno division head, was in the candidate list for the Bagan Pinang by-election.

Dr Mahathir said that although the Teluk Kemang Umno division wanted Isa to contest, the people would view him as representing Umno nationwide and reflecting Umno's position.

"One can win to become Umno president but it does not mean that he can win elections," he said.

Isa was suspended for three years from June 24, 2005, for money politics in the 2004 Umno elections.

He was originally suspended for six years or two terms but this was reduced after he appealed.

On the MCA crisis, Dr Mahathir said it could be resolved if the party leaders placed the interests of the party above self.

"A leader will not do anything to destroy the party. If you know that you are no longer qualified, for whatever reason, you stop.

"Don't cling on to the post."

He said leaders should realise that it they owed their status to the party.


The MCA crisis escalated following the sacking of deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek for his sex scandal in 2007, which was said to have tarnished the party's image.

The party will hold an extraordinary general meeting on Oct 11 to resolve its leadership dispute