Businessman Soh Chee Wen has been told to support the whole MCA now as rival factions no longer exists in the party.

Party president Dr Ling Liong Sik said today that since deputy president Lim Ah Lek declared that there is no more Team A or B in the party, Soh should throw his weight behind the whole party.

Ling said this when asked to comment on Soh's recent statement that "my heart is with Team B".

However, Team B leader Lim was quoted by Chinese newspapers on Saturday as saying that there are no more feuding factions in the party and that Soh was probably unaware of this, having been away for a few years.

Ling added that Soh's pledge of support for Team B will not thwart the ongoing effort to work towards peace and stability within the party.

"He (Soh) is not part of the peace agenda", he said during a press conference at the MCA headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Earlier, Ling chaired a meeting with eight top leaders for two hours to discuss the latest progress of mediation in divisions which had yet to fill up their various posts.

The MCA chief also said he stood by his recent statement that he had no business dealings with Soh.

"I have said whatever I want to say, I have nothing more to add," he added.

Back after three years

Last Tuesday, after being overseas for three years, Soh (photo) returned to the country to face two charges in connection to defrauding a now defunct stockbroking firm of over RM500 million.

The businessman was at one time a protege of Ling within MCA and had been a member of the central committee and presidential council previously.

However, their relationship soured when Soh sued Ling, Ling's son and daughter-in-law for owing him RM149 million from the sales of shares in Linksun Avenue Sdn Bhd.

Last Wednesday, Ling had stressed that he had no business dealings with Soh, adding that the businessman's return will not impact the party leadership at all.

Two days later, Soh dismissed Ling's claim as "utter nonsense" and "total rubbish". He insisted that both of them had a business relationship.

Soh is still an ordinary member of the party.