The squabble between two MCA factions over the legality of the special committee to investigate the recent fracas which erupted at the party's Youth meet did not stop the appointment of six party veterans to sit on the committee today.

In a press conference held after the presidential council meeting, MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik said the special committee would review reports made by both factions before making a decision.

On Aug 27, MCA Youth submitted it's report on the fracas to the presidential council meeting.

The Aug 3 Youth AGM made headlines when it was marred by fist-fights, flying chairs and a bomb hoax.

Youth vice chairman Loh Seng Kok and secretary general Yew Tiong Look, both aligned to Ling who were sacked during the unruly meet have also submitted their reports to the presidential council.

The six veterans appointed today were former Kelantan state chief Dr Wee Khoon Hock, former vice-president Kam Woon Wah, former Negeri Sembilan state chief and ex-deputy minister of transport Wong Seng Chow, former vice-president and ex-deputy minister of trade Lew Sip Hon, former vice-president Chan Kit Chee and former organising secretary and ex-deputy minister of youth and sports Wang Choon Wing.

Unbiased stand

Chor Chee Heung, the head of the special committee said the selection of the committee members was based on their past experience and unbiased stand on the issues.

"All six of them are least involved with the present episode, and least connected to the present leadership and youth wing," said Chor who is also the deputy home affairs minister.

He stressed that his job was to make sure the committee completed its findings within the given time frame and that the six nominate a chairman to preside over the matter.

Last Monday, when Chor was appointed head of the special committee, it sparked off a volley of protests from certain party leaders who feared that the impartiality of the committee may be compromised.

Chor also rebutted allegations over the legality of the special committee, citing that the presidential council's decision was pursuance to Article 45 (2) of the party constitution.

Under the article, the presidential council and central committee are at liberty to appoint a special committee to look into the specific issues.

Chor said there was a precedent to this when a special committee was set up in 1998 to deliberate issues pertaining to irregularities in the conduct of some members.

Asked if the other faction had disagreed with the special committee, he said that the party "can never have both sides to agree on everything right now".

Chor also admitted that Youth chief Ong Tee Keat was "not very happy with the appointment".

Not wise

On why the four veterans proposed by MCA deputy president Lim Ah Lek were not accepted, Chor said it was not wise to discuss about the matter, saying that MCA has more than 500 veterans currently.

In an immediate reaction, Lim said he accepted these six members of the special committee but expressed disappointment that his proposal to add another four veteran members was rejected.

Last Sunday, Lim described the special committee as an "illegitimate and unconstitutional body" as its findings will go direct to the presidential council bypassing the disciplinary committee.

"This is an act of blatant disregard of the existence of the disciplinary committee," said Lim who heads the disciplinary committee.

MCA has been split into two factions following the party's takeover of Nanyang Press - publisher of two Chinese dailies in late May.