KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 30, 2009) :

He said the premier will go through the details of a plan after returning from the Commonwealth Heads of Government conference in Trinidad and Tobago yesterday.

He told reporters after opening the Local Authorities Convention at the CIDB Convention Centre in Jalan Cheras today that based on his meetings with the MCA leaders, he believed many of them are committed to finding a solution to the crisis marked by factionalism and in-fighting.

"Most of them have accepted the plan (to solve the crisis)…But we will wait for the prime minister to go through it first before announcing it," he said.

Several key MCA leaders today had a meeting with Muhyiddin, who had been given the mandate by Najib to tackle the problem by implementing pro-active steps as soon as possible to prevent the crisis from deteriorating.

Muhyddin said last week that he had given himself a week to find a solution to the crisis and come up with a formula that is agreeable to all the parties concerned.

The MCA crisis, which Najib is worried could jeopardise the Chinese community’s support for Barisan Nasional, has taken on different forms ever since Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat was elected president in October last year, and Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek as number two.

The two political "foes" have since reconciled under a Greater Unity Plan, with vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai -- who leads a third force that includes the leaders of both the youth and wanita wings -- being an unwilling player.

(from left) Chua Soi Lek, Liow Tiong Lai and Ong Tee Keat.

The crisis worsened after Wanita chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun and Youth chief Datuk Wee Ka Siong were sacked from the presidential council (PC).

Last week, a faction led by Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai passed the declaration, "Declaration 1128", pushing for the party leadership to hold a fresh election at the Central Committee (CC) level within 60 days.

The declaration was later rejected by Ong who said the minority cannot dictate what the majority should do.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters at Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, who asked about the MCA's internal crisis, Bernama quoted Najib as saying he hoped it would be solved as soon as possible.

"I hope the matter can be resolved. I've left it to my deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (to settle the problem)," he said.

"Otherwise, I may have to talk to the (warring) parties," Najib added.

Link To Other Stories :

Chinese associations support fresh MCA polls MCA talks hit deadlock on fresh polls Wee: Declaration 1128 cannot be refuted CC to deliberate outcome of meeting with Muhyiddin