The cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad will help end the protracted crisis in MCA, said its president Ong Ka Ting today.

"The new appointments were made without bias or in favour to (Team) A or B and would have a positive impact on the party and build unity in MCA," he said when met at the Parliament lobby.

Ong also expressed gratitude to the premier for showing confidence and respect for the recommendations submitted by him earlier.

"This is the first time that MCA representatives have been given the biggest number of ministers and deputy ministers posts," added the housing and local government minister.

The latest addition being Transport Ministry parliamentary secretary Donald Lim (photo) who has been appointed deputy information minister. MCA's central committee member Ho Cheong Sing was also appointed as the parliamentary secretary at the international trade and industry ministry. The party now has four ministers, seven deputy ministers and two parliamentary secretaries.

The MCA crisis which centred around the allocation of ministerial posts was aggravated following the takeover of two Chinese dailies by the party in 2001.

The party split into two camps - Team A led by former president Dr Ling Liong Sik and Team B by his ex-deputy Lim Ah Lek.

Last month, Ling and Lim resigned and were replaced by Ong - who was aligned to Ling - and Chan Kong Choy - the Team B aligned deputy finance minister.

Fill void

At a press conference at the same venue earlier, Mahathir said the reshuffle was to fill up the vacancy left by Ling, who was also transport minister.

Asked to comment on whether the reshuffle could be considered as the conclusion of the peace plan brokered by him last April to resolve the MCA crisis, he replied: "We never recognised any (Team) A or B or C, this was merely to fill up the vacancy left by Dr Ling."

The premier described all the new appointees as eligible candidates for their respective posts.

Responding to a question on whether his successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the new appointees may change policies, Mahathir said his resignation in October would not affect the decision making process.

"It was always a collective decision making process. Everyone is bound to the cabinet and most of the cabinet members are still here. And for Pak Lah (Abdullah), we have been working for so many years, he is suitable to takeover the post," he said

The premier also said the promotion of Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister M Kayveas to deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department was not related to the latter's revelation of corruption in the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council.

Front row

Meanwhile, following the change in MCA leadership, Ong's seat in the Dewan Rakyat has been changed from the third row to the first, beside the premier and deputy premier.

However Ling, who made a surprise appearance this morning, must now be seated next to MCA secretary-general and Gopeng MP Dr Ting Chew Peh among the backbenchers. Ling is the MP for Labis.

Meanwhile, when met separately at the Parliament lobby, the new appointees expressed their gratitude to Mahathir.

MCA vice-president Chan (photo), who is now the new transport minister, described his new task as challenging.

While newly appointed Deputy Finance Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen - who is the first woman to assume the post - said her promotion was an indication of the capability of women in politics. Ng is also MCA Wanita chief.

Deputy Culture, Arts and Tourism Minister Fu Ah Kiow also thanked the premier and the party for recommending him for the post.

While Deputy Transport Minister Douglas Uggah Embas said his first priority is to meet with his new boss Chan.

Newcomer Ho said his short term plan is to develop Perak's investment. Ho, who is also Ipoh Barat MP, is the sole Perak MCA representative in the federal government currently.