Ex-MCA vice-president Gan Ping Sieu to challenge Dr Wee Ka Siong for party presidency.

Former MCA veep to champion direct member voting as he enters running for presidency

KUALA LUMPUR: Former MCA vice-president Gan Ping Sieu (pic), who has officially announced his candidacy for the party presidency, said he would push for direct member voting in the party elections.

He said party election reforms will be part of his manifesto for the polls next month.

“Previously leaders pledged for this, but it took them a long time,” said Gan, who is also the co-president of civil society group Centre For A Better Tomorrow.

The former deputy minister will be contesting against MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, who is Ayer Hitam MP.

At a press conference yesterday at his office,

Gan said it will be his second attempt at the MCA presidency.

“In my first attempt, we lost by a small majority, but I urged my supporters to give the leaders who won their full support,” the Kluang MCA division chief said.

Gan said he is teaming up with Johor MCA deputy chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong, who has announced that he will be contesting the deputy president’s post.

Tee is a former state executive councillor.

Gan said MCA was currently facing a trust-deficit crisis due to an unclear stand on important issues such as the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.

“The current leadership chose to duck these issues,” he said. President Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai is not defending his post for the national leadership in the MCA elections on Nov 4.

Gan, who made his stand clear that he is for the party to leave Barisan Nasional, said MCA is “built on the principles of moderation, inclusiveness, diversity, and a secular governance within the framework of the Federal Constitution with specific Islamic institutions.”

“But now we see Umno working closely with PAS, forming an alliance.

“This is not only deviating from MCA’s principles but also from what Barisan stands for.

“It is imperative for MCA, through the democratic process, central delegates or even a referendum, to get the party out of Barisan so that we can start afresh,” he said.

Gan has former president Tan Sri Dr Chua Soi Lek’s backing in the upcoming polls.

Last Thursday, Dr Chua told reporters that Gan had no “political baggage”, and that he would support the former deputy minister if no other better candidates stepped up.

Meanwhile, Liow expressed his support for Dr Wee.

From 2010 to 2013, Gan was party vice-president and served as deputy minister of Youth and Sports. He was elected Mengkibol state assemblyman in 2004.

In the last MCA elections in late 2013, he lost to Liow in his quest for the top post.

In the 14th general election in May, Gan was the Barisan candidate for Kluang parliamentary seat, but he lost.