MCA today paid tribute to its former president Dr Ling Liong Sik with a "salutation ceremony" at the party headquarters in Jalan Ampang in Kuala Lumpur. Ling, who helmed the party for 17 years, stepped down two months ago.

About 2,000 central delegates and members attended the two-hour event.

All central committee members turned up except Youth chief Ong Tee Keat, Wanita deputy chief Dr Tan Yee Kew and Wong Mook Leong. Former deputy president Lim Ah Lek, who is also Ling's nemesis, was conspicuously absent.

Ling and Lim resigned from their posts on May 23. Their respective proteges - Ong Ka Ting and Chan Kong Choy - took over the party leadership later.

Tears of joy

Ling, with his wife Ena, arrived at the party headquarters at 2pm and were warmly greeted by party leaders. The Kuen Cheng Girls' School band was in attendance to welcome the couple.

In his speech, Ka Ting said he always remember advices given by Ling in dealing with party matters. He related an experience during the party crisis in the 80s.

"I appeared worried in front of (Ling), but he told me: "hey, young man, don't worry so easily, you must learn how to enjoy the problem. Just do things right and proper, God is great and will decide what is correct or wrong," Ka Ting said.

He described Ling as "resilient and dynamic, yet always courteous, calm, restrained, patient and positive".

Touched by the ceremony, Ling later told the gathering that he has "some tears in his eyes".

"Sometimes dropping tears in not something bad but it is a way of saying thank you, thank you very much," he said.

The former chief expressed happiness that rival factions in the party are getting closer to each other. He was confident the new leadership will lead MCA towards greater heights and into another new era.

Ling, who is also member of Parliament for Labis, formally received the title of MCA honorary life president from the party.

The MCA caring and sharing choir later presented a Mandarin song "contribute" and an English number "unforgettable" in Ling's honour.

The party also launched a video disc compact titled "A tribute to 17 years of successful and inspiring leadership" dedicated to the former president.

Defending Ka Ting

Approached by reporters later, Ling came to the defence of his successor when asked about the recent triad allegations against the party.

"No proof...one person (involved in gangsterism) doesn't make all of you gangsters," he remarked.

He was referring to the suspended MCA Gurney Drive branch chief Ong King Ee - or better known as Jackie Chan - who was put on the police 'most wanted' list last week for allegedly attempting to revive a secret society Sio Sam Ong (Three Little Emperors) in Penang.