A delegate from Pahang, Wong Ban Seng, noted with some sarcasm that while the party appeared to outsiders as "being strong", the membership at large was in fact "weak" as even leaders recently admitted that not a single one among them "was qualified to replace Ling Liong Sik as president".

He was obviously referring to statements by vice-presidents Ong Ka Ting and Dr Fong Chan Onn who, following Ling's "resignation" announcement on May 22, described their party chief as "irreplaceable" or "indispensable".

Another delegate, Chai Kim Seng, from the KL Federal Territory, said that he endorsed a recent observation by MCA Youth chief Ong Tee Keat that "leaders come and go, but the party will always remain", again rebutting the claim that "a certain leader is indispensable".

Chai suggested that the party presidency should be restricted to a maximum of three terms (totaling nine years) to any individual.

Ong, in his address at the MCA Youth Assembly this morning, said that if the party does not adapt to changes and reform itself, it would become irrelevant and outdated.

"More than just changes in strategies, we must also adapt the party's political culture and leadership style in line with the aspirations of the young generation," he stressed.

The authoritarian leadership style of the last century will no longer work with the present youths, who are more self determined and decisive, he added.

The assembly also discussed Penang state politics.

A delegate from the island, Tan Teik Pheng, called on the Barisan Nasional leaders to recognise the party's outstanding performance in the November general elections, now with 11 state seats, more than Gerakan's eight and Umno's 10.

"Penang MCA Youth calls on the party leaders to fight for greater representation in the Penang state exco, including a claim to the state chief ministership," Tan said.

At present, Gerakan fields the chief minister and holds three exco posts while MCA only has two exco posts (out of a total of 10 posts in the state).

"Because of this poor allocation of exco seats to MCA and unfair treatment, our state chairman Dr Sak Cheng Lam decided not to accept any exco appointment," he lamented.

However, there were no direct references to Ling's current problems relating to fugitive businessman Soh Chee Wen although one delegate said that recently, there had been many poison pen letters distributed to party members.

"I received more than 20, mostly about MCA president or deputy president, attacking them on their personal affairs.

"I believe this circulation of poison pen letters is resorted to because members have not been allowed to channel their views to the top leaders openly," he added.

Youth vice chair Loh Seng Kok told the press after the closing of the assembly today that most of the delegates rejected the package deal on the successors to the party leadership.

The deal involved giving the MCA presidency to Ling's protege and vice-president Ong Ka Ting, while deputy president Lim Ah Lek's candidate Chan Kong Choy, who is also party vice-president, be given the deputy presidency post in 2002.

"This is against the will of the grassroots and undermine the wisdom of the members," he told malaysiakini.

Loh, who is Ling's political secretary, said that the delegates do not accept the deal, which is being worked out by Ling and Lim.

"We have to respect the views of the delegates," he said.

Many of the delegates' speech today were critical of the party's leadership. However, no names were mentioned.

Youth chief Ong, when asked by malaysiakini about this, said that he is not the spokesperson for the party grassroots.

"After all, they have the right to bring up the issue and I am duty bound to respond to their points raised," he said.

"I think people have been talking about accountability, transparency and responsibility. These are the keywords," he added.

The MCA general assembly will continue tomorrow.