KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 — 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.
Dr Mahathir said MCA must choose a neutral candidate to regain the confidence of the grassroots and strengthen the party.
"From a moral aspect, both must relinquish their posts. MCA must pick a leader who is not tainted so that he can gain the support of everyone. Then MCA can be united under one leadership.
"It is clear that both the MCA leaders had lost. So, they must reorganise and look for a new leader. Members of MCA are not happy with their leadership and that is the reason why they rejected both of them," he said when met at a Hari Raya celebration hosted by the Cempaka Umno branch here last night.
Commenting on the newly formed Makkal Sakti Malaysia party that was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Saturday, Dr Mahathir said he welcomed the formation of the party.
"I feel the time has come for us to accept this Indian party into Barisan Nasional since MIC's influence has dropped," he said.
He also reiterated his call for MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu to resign.
"I ask Samy Vellu to resign as well. If he resigns, MIC will be given a new lease of life," he said. — Bernama
