MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik who expressed his intention to step down as transport minister remained coy today about when and how the resignation will come into effect.

He alluded that he would remain in his cabinet post as long as Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad does not accept the resignation letter he submitted last August.

"We are loyalists. I was trained as a young soldier in military college and I have been a good soldier all along. I take orders from my bosses very well.

"That has been my attitude from the day I was a school boy, young politician, and now middle-age politician. I am still a good soldier," said a cheerful-looking Ling during a press conference at his office in Putrajaya.

The MCA president said it was for this reason that he did not specify a date for his resignation in the letter.

"The general has to make the decision and the soldier must obey," stressed the graduate of the Royal Military College in Kuala Lumpur.

"He has not accepted my resignation... When PM finally makes up his mind as to when I can be released, I will very, very happy to say thank you to MCA, BN (Barisan Nasional) and everyone who has supported me," he added.

Meanwhile, Mahathir said later that he has not made any decision o­n the matter.

"I received the letter long ago but I have yet to agree to his resignation," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

Asked when he would make his decision, the premier replied: "I'm thinking."

No speculation

When asked, Ling said he would not speculate o­n whether the fact that he still holds the ministerial post should be seen as a sign that Mahathir wants him to continue serving in the government.

To another question o­n his plans after retirement, the 59-year-old politician replied, "I will think of that when the day comes."

Yesterday, after attending a BN supreme council meeting, Ling told reporters that Mahathir had informed those at the meeting that he had received his (Ling's) resignation letter.

The MCA president, who has held the ministerial post for 17 years, said he had wanted to leave in May 2000 but decided to stay o­n because the party grassroots wanted him to.

Ling said he again toyed with the idea of retiring last year and told the prime minister that he was ready to go anytime after the launch of the MCA-run Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) in August.

Party presidency

Elaborating o­n the MCA presidency today, Ling said he will hold o­n to it until further discussion with other party leaders.

"You don't just let go of it. I have to discuss with my party colleagues about succession and other issues first.

"My term stretches until 2005. I have not thought of any different plan as yet," he said.

He said the party disunity, which resulted from a year-long factional fight between Team A led by him and Team B led by his deputy Lim Ah Lek, was showing signs of improvement.

"On the ground, there is less and less bickering. We now have an experienced disciplinary board in place, everybody will cool down," he said.

Ling also clarified that PM's disclosure about the resignation letter yesterday was not in response to a request from anyone.

"It (the information) just came from PM himself. Why? That you have to ask him," he said.

In its o­nline edition last night, MCA-owned daily China Press quoted a party source as saying that Lim had asked Mahathir to confirm the widespread rumours in recent months about Ling's resignation.

On Monday, Lim said he would contest for the party president post in 2005 if Ling has not stepped down by then.

In a related development, Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the prime minister wanted Ling to continue as transport minister.

He said Mahathir told the cabinet today of Ling's desire to resign.

"PM still wants to retain the services of Dr Ling in the present portfolio, which means that his resignation will o­nly take effect after consultation with PM," said Abdullah according to Bernama

He added that the premier had raised the issue at the BN supreme council meet without being asked by anyone.

Abdullah added the premier touched o­n the matter because he did not want to see anymore dispute in MCA.