MCA president Ong Ka Ting has refused to confirm media reports that his deputy Chan Kong Choy had tendered his resignation as transport minister.

"I have said before that he went overseas on medical leave, we should accept that as the reason," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby yesterday after the tabling of Budget 2008.

"He applied for medical leave - that is the fact," Ong added when pressed on as to whether Chan had indeed tendered his resignation which is believed to have been turned down by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

According to a Sin Chew Daily front-page report quoting sources yesterday, Chan had submitted his resignation letter to the prime minister before Merdeka Day on grounds involving "official, personal and health reasons".

However, the daily said the MCA top leadership has advised its deputy president to reconsider his decision.

Following that, Chan had asked for a two-week medical leave and this was approved by the premier.

The daily also said Chan had not informed any MCA leader about his decision to resign, including Ong.

'Wait and see'

The transport minister, who is currently in Australia, is due to return next week but Ong refused to confirm whether his deputy will stick to the plan.

"Wait and see, you will know," said the MCA president, who also declined to comment why he was not informed by Chan's decision to resign earlier.

Several reasons linking to Chan's move to quit included public pressure over the RM4.6 billion Port Klang Free Zone scandal.

In addition, there was the tragic bus accident in Perak last month which claimed the lives of 22 people - considered as the country's worst road accident.