MCA members are permitted to openly express their support to party leaders but they should refrain from bad-mouthing people - that is the message from deputy president Chan Kong Choy today.

At the same time, it is also okay to keep their support close to their chest and be quiet about it, he said.

Chan who is the party's disciplinary board chairperson explained that an open expression of support for MCA leaders does not breach the party's code of ethics.

"That is the democratic right of members. They have the right under the (MCA) constitution either to make known their support to the whole world or keep it close to their chest," he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.

However, members should not talk good things about the leaders they support and then talk bad about other leaders, he said.

"Don't criticise...talk about good things," he added.

Since vice-president Chua Jui Meng announced his challenge fort the party presidency, several state liaison committees had declared their support for party president Ong Ka Ting and Chan.

Complaints received

Chua, who claimed to be an 'underdog' in the elections, had described the open declaration of support as another form of ' menu politics '.

Cai dan (menu) or menu politics refers to a MCA tradition where top leaders released a list of preferred candidates for delegates to support.

Ong had denied the allegation, saying that he had never given any directive asking members to openly support him and Chan.

Meanwhile, Chan confirmed that the disciplinary board has received a 'handful' of complaints about certain individuals.

He declined to reveal further information, saying that he has yet to study the complaints closely.

The credibility of the disciplinary board has been questioned by some members recently after a decision to suspend the party's Wanita deputy leader Dr Tan Yee Kew was leaked to the media.

Chua has vowed to restructure the disciplinary board should he be elected president.