The trouble-ridden MCA will hold a three-hour dialogue session with divisional leaders at party headquarters on Sunday morning, to resolve problems at the grassroots.

NONEDeputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek (right) told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today that he wants "all divisional leaders to attend...the division heads, as well as Wanita and Youth heads".

He said the dialogue is necessary because the people are "tired of the infighting in MCA", noting that the subject is of more interest to the media than to the public.

The initiative comes under his new role as head of the Greater Unity Plan task force.

"Task force or no task force, special or not, this is something that must be done for the party," he said.

The dialogue will revolve around five issues:

  • Funding for divisional activities, given that the party has sufficient resources for this
  • Whether resolutions for the upcoming EGM are in line with the party constitution
  • Direct elections for the post of president and central committee (CC) members, and the model to be used (either Umno's system or a new one) if the proposal is accepted
  • How to achieve the Greater Unity Plan and to stabilise the party.
  • Preparations for the next general election
Will Liow attend?

NONEChua, who said invitations have been extended to party president Ong Tee Keat and CC members, expressed the hope that they will attend the dialogue.

"To his credit, (Ong) expressed full support for the dialogue when I told him about it," he said.

However, he is not sure if recently relegated vice-president Liow Tiong Lai (left) will be present.

"Out of respect, I informed Liow about the plan during lunch. But he did not indicate if he supports the matter or if he is going to attend."

The dialogue will be a closed-door affair, but a press conference will be held when it ends about noon.