KUALA LUMPUR: MCA will not amend its party constitution to sack elected representatives who refuse to toe the party’s line on certain issues, says party secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon.
Chong said MCA was confident that its party members and elected representatives were disciplined enough to abide by any party orders, adding that it did not have to follow the footsteps of other political parties in amending their constitution.
"The MCA central committee and its Legal Bureau will not amend the party constitution," said Chong at a press conference at Wisma MCA on Wednesday (Aug 10) morning.
"There is also no urgent need to amend the party constitution like other political parties, to ensure those who did not follow party instructions will be dismissed," added Chong.
Chong also said MCA has a strong mechanism to deal with errant party members, as complaints can be lodged via written letters to the Disciplinary Committee.
"The committee will listen to it and make proposals to the MCA presidential council, which will consider various remedies, including freezing of membership and expulsion," he said.
"We already have a sound mechanism that also provides for the expulsion of party members. Complaints from leaders at all levels will be received," added Chong.
Chong also said if any MCA leaders were automatically expelled from the party if they decide to publicise their decision to resign from the party.
"For example, those who cut their MCA party membership cards do not need to write a letter, because we will not retain those who openly quit the party," added Chong.
Meanwhile, Chong said if elected representatives from other political parties want to join MCA, they have to resign from their elected positions, in line with the new anti-hopping bill that was recently passed in Parliament.
"If you want to join MCA, you must first resign as an MP, and then run for an election. This is in line with public opinion," said Chong.
On Aug 3, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said DAP was planning to amend its constitution to allow the party to sack its elected representatives who do not toe the party line.
According to the anti-hopping law that was passed in Parliament on July 28, an MP who defects from the political party they represented as election candidates or those who became independent would have to vacate their parliamentary seats.
However, MPs who were sacked by the party would not lose their seats. Under the newly-introduced Bill, MPs who voted against their party’s wishes in Parliament would not be affected.
