MCA has deferred its annual general meeting slated for Saturday so that the three feuding factions will have more time to come to a settlement on fresh leadership polls.

The decision, made unanimously by the central committee at a meeting today, appears to have favoured the faction led by vice-president Liow Tiong Lai.

chua soi lek pc after bagan bn meeting 251109 01However, the deadlock remains on the timing of the party polls, as well as whether it should be restricted to the powerful central committee or include both the Youth and Wanita wings.

Today’s meeting was chaired by deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek in the absence of party president Ong Tee Keat, who could not attend due to health reasons.

Ong was hospitalised overnight on Monday for stomach ailment and has cut down his public appearance since then. His aide said he was not medically fit to attend the meeting and that he is under doctor's orders to rest.

This eleventh-hour about-turn comes in the wake of pressure from Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his deputy, Muhyiddin Yassin, who met top MCA leaders in a bid to quell the party crisis.

The outcome of the meeting is likely to give squabbling factions a respite before they get into gear for party elections.

Chua: Unity our concern

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Chua said no date has been fixed for the new AGM, except that it will be held next year.

He said the postponement of the AGM is intended to ensure party unity and stability and stressed that the decision has nothing to do with external intervention.

"This is a good beginning to unite and stabilise the party," he said.

He said new dates would be announced later. It is speculated that a new date for an AGM can only be decided after fresh polls are announced.

Chua said the CC has also endorsed calls for fresh polls and that he will head a special committee - comprising of six vice-presidents, the secretary-general and four CC members - to study several issues related to the proposal.

NONEThis includes examining provisions in the party constitution, deciding if party wings will be subject to fresh polls, and the duration of the new office-bearers' terms. The current term ends in 2011.

In a scene not seen since mid-October, CC members belonging to the camps of Ong, Chua and Liow were all present at the post-meeting press conference.

‘Ong agrees with us’

Speaking to reporters later, Liow - a key figure in the push for fresh polls - was non-committal when asked about his supporters' call for fresh polls by January.

“I think as far as today is concerned, we are moving forward and no longer going around in circles, discussing whether there should be fresh polls,” said Liow.

CC member Ti Lian Ker, who is aligned to Ong, welcomed the outcome of the meeting.

“The decisions today gave us a lot of breathing space. In the end, the naughty and mischievous office-bearers will be judged by the central committee,” he said.

Earlier, Chua confirmed that Ong was unwell and unable to attend the CC meeting, but he was agreeable to both fresh polls and the deferment of the AGM.

Chua also pleaded to the press not to “spin” stories and not to “contact” them for the time being, so that party leaders can perform their tasks.

No meeting with PM yet

NONEChua also confirmed that the Ong, Chua and Liow have yet to meet Najib for discussions on resolving the impasse.

Najib returned from Europe yesterday evening and briefly met MCA secretary-general Wong Foon Meng and Muhyiddin, who had been tasked to mediate between the three leaders.

This morning, Najib left to officiate the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (Lima) exhibition and a meeting is only expected to take place after that.

Speaking to reporters today, Wong said Najib had made several suggestions during their meeting yesterday and these had been conveyed to the CC.

“There are views and wishes from our national leaders. All this was taken into consideration and deliberated during the CC,” he added.

Still no deal on polls dates, says Najib