KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 13, 2009):

In a press conference, third force spokesman Datuk Tan Kah Choun said if Najib is unable to meet all past party chiefs, he should at least see two in particular: Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik and Tan Sri Michael Chen.

Ling helmed the party for 17 years, while Chen, who was MCA deputy president and the secretary-general of the Alliance during former prime minister Tun Abdul Razak's tenure, did much to move Sino-Malay friendship forward, said Tan.

"Some of the 11 past presidents and deputy presidents had undergone party crises and they have deep impressions and ideas on how to solve the present problem. The prime minister will get the most suitable idea and help to solve the crisis and it should not be seen as Umno interfering into MCA party matters.

"If the above measures are unable to resolve the crisis, I strongly recommend the PM consult former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is also known as 'Doctor Malaysia', as he had successfully resolved at least three MCA crises," he said.

Tan said the third force, which emerged on the scene just before the Oct 10 MCA extraordinary general meeting (EGM), had succeeded in ousting both party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek as both had their leadership rejected by the central delegates at the EGM.

However, following this, the duo then joined forces to come up with a unity plan for MCA.

He said the greater unity plan (GUP) is a positive approach for the party as Ong and Chua are prepared to work together for the benefit of the party unity and the nation.

"This dramatic change proves the saying 'in politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies'. Such dramatic change requires intelligence, wisdom, and mutual undestanding to make it a success.

"I must reiterate that MCA does not have any resources to split and BN does not have time to wait (before the next General Election)," he said.

Ling Liong Sik

Tan added that unfortunately, some of the central committee (CC) members were afraid or worried that they may be left out from the GUP and decided to call for a second EGM on Nov 28 to safeguard their own positions and interests.

The Nov 28 EGM was requisitioned by vice-president Datuk Seri Liong Tiong Lai's faction to call for a fresh party election as they felt that the incumbents have not respected the outcome of the Oct 10 EGM.

Asked what the ideal solution is for the MCA, he said all parties should put aside their personal interests and make the GUP a success.

"We do not mind who will be the president or the deputy president as long as the party can be united," he said.

Tan said if Ong and Chua can work together for party unity, Liow should try to adapt into this system and stop having other agendas.