MCA Youth today set up a five-man committee to resolve the wing's protracted internal crisis , but its chief Ong Tee Keat stressed it will not 'clash ' with the committee formed by the top leadership for the same purpose.

"There will not be any duplication (in the work of the committees). The new committee is a result of a pro-active measure taken by the Youth wing to consolidate the party," he told a press conference at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Ong, who announced the proposal to form this committee on Sunday, added that it was adopted during the wing's executive committee meeting this morning.

The others on the committee will be the Youth wing's deputy chief Hoo Seong Chang, joint-secretaries Loh Seng Kok and Liow Tiong Lai as well as organising secretary Tan Yoke Cheng.

The committee mooted by the top leadership comprises central committee members Hon Choon Kim, Fu Ah Kiow and Poh Ah Tiam. It was set up by party president Ong Ka Ting after he assumed the top post last month.

Close ranks

However, the Youth chief said there were differences between the two committees despite their objectives being the same.

"The new committee comprises only Youth members. We are clearer about what is going on in this Youth set-up. However we also need certain input from the parent body," he explained.

He said the new committee will focus on how to close ranks at the state and divisional levels but will not concentrate on filling several posts left vacant due to the 'no contest' policy imposed at last year's party elections.

The state Youth chief position for Penang, Negri Sembilan and Federal Territory remain vacant, while there are also vacancies at the divisional level.

Meanwhile, joint-secretary Liow welcomed the formation of the new committee and described it as an effort to expedite unity within the party.

"The Youth should have the autonomy to resolve its own problems. We are more aware of the dispute at the division and state levels...the parental body may not be as aware of the issues," he said

MCA has been rocked by an internal crisis for several years, but it became public knowledge after it acquired two Chinese dailies in 2001. The party split into two camps - Team A led by former president Dr Ling Liong Sik and Team B by the ex-deputy president Lim Ah Lek.

The duo stepped down last month and were replaced by the Team A aligned Ka Ting and Team B leader Chan Kong Choy respectively.

The Youth chief was aligned to Team B and was a vocal critic of the other faction. He had also raised several allegations, including that the party was infiltrated by triads which led to disciplinary action being initiated against him.

Asked on the progress of the disciplinary proceedings this morning, Ong said it was not on the executive committee's agenda.

'Salutation ceremony

'

At another press conference at the same venue earlier, MCA secretary-general Dr Ting Chew Peh said the annual general meeting scheduled for August will not fill the two vacant vice-presidents' posts.

The posts became vacant after Ka Ting and Chan Kong Choy assumed the top leadership positions.

Ting said the issue was not on the agenda and added that the proposal to amend Article 21 of the party constitution to limit the president's term to a maximum three terms or nine years has been outlined.

The meeting on Aug 10 will be officiated by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. The Youth and Women wings will meet a day earlier.

Ting also revealed that MCA will hold a 'salutation ceremony' and farewell dinner for Ling on July 26.

"The salutation ceremony is in view of our immediate past president's numerous contributions to the party and the country," he said.