KUALA LUMPUR: Former MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek supporters Datuk Seri Tan Chai Ho, Datuk Chong Itt Chew and Loh Seng Kok arrived at the MCA headquarters at about 4.30pm on Sept 11 to deliver the signatures of 921 delegates petitioning for an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to consider reversing the expulsion of Chua.
 
The petition was received by the MCA secretary general Datuk Wong Foon Meng.

According to the Chinese almanac, Sept 11 is an auspicious day to hand in the signatures, Tan told a press conference later. “As a Buddhist, I believe 4.30pm is the best time... it will bring luck to the party,” he said.
He added that they chose to submit 921 signatures as the number had a symbolic significance for MCA.

“We have more than 50% [of the 2,400 central MCA delegates] but we decided to hand in 921 only," he said.

Tan also said, according to MCA's constitution, Wong would have to respond to their request within five days of the submission and, if approved, the EGM should be held within 30 days.

“He [Wong] suggested that both parties sit down and talk on the matter, but we will wait for him to decide before making whatever arrangement,” Tan said.

Chua announced on Aug 26 that he had been expelled from MCA following the recommendation of the party's disciplinary council, which said that he had tarnished MCA’s reputation by being implicated in a sexual scandal in 2007.

Shortly after Chua's sacking, his supporters, led by Tan, launched a nationwide signature campaign to force an EGM aimed at nullifying the dismissal and passing a vote of no confidence against party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.