PETALING JAYA: All complaints involving party members have been dealt with professionally, says Datuk Dr Pamela Yong.
The MCA deputy secretary-general said the party’s disciplinary board had handled all complaints fairly in accordance with the party's rules and regulations without exception.
Dr Yong said that the board had taken the same approach while handling the cases involving two leaders - Datuk Tee Siew Kiong and Datuk Goh Tee Tee - where the process was completely in accordance with the party constitution, and decided by the presidential council.
“The disciplinary committee submitted the investigation report and recommendations to the presidential council, which then conducted discussions among all members before a collective decision was made based on the recommendations,” she said in a statement on Tuesday (May 17).
Both Tee and Goh were referred to MCA's disciplinary committee for speaking up after not being fielded as candidates in the March 12 Johor state elections.
Tee, who is the Pontian division chief, was called in for an inquiry after he held a press conference on Feb 25 where he claimed was “to explain myself to my supporters and voters over the reason why I was not fielded as a candidate”.
Goh, who is Ledang division chief, claimed that MCA did not consult the division's wings before fielding a candidate, resulting in the loss of the Tangkak state seat.
On Tee’s claim that the punishment against him was increased from one and a half years to a five-year suspension, Dr Yong refuted it, and said it was “completely false.”
“The MCA disciplinary board had originally proposed to the presidential council to suspend Datuk Tee Siew Kiong's party membership for three years.
“However, after the council’s deliberation, it was deemed that his behaviour was a serious violation of party discipline.
“So, all council members unanimously agreed and decided that his party membership be suspended, and the suspension period is increased to five years,” she said.
Dr Yong added that according to the party constitution, Tee and Goh have the right to appeal to the party central committee within 14 days.
All party members, regardless of party position, she added, must adhere to party discipline and remain committed to upholding the party's image.
“Members must not publish or utter any words or perform any action that could jeopardise the party,” she said.
Earlier, during a press conference in Johor Baru, Tee said he would get the views of various sides before deciding whether he would appeal.
He also urged his supporters to remain calm and refrain from acting rashly over the party’s decision.
