Kuala Lumpur, Thu -- Newly elected MCA deputy president Datuk
Seri Liow Tiong Lai said today he hopes that president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat
would consider other options to resolve the party crisis.

Ong, who did not relinquish his post at the party's central committee (CC)
meeting today, has decided to call for an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to
decide if fresh polls should be called for the CC.

Liow said the majority of CC members was against the EGM as they felt there
was a better way to stabilise the party.

"We will give the president time to consider the best way to ensure that the
party remains stable and strong," Liow told a news conference at a hotel here
following the four-hour CC meeting at the party headquarters to resolve the
leadership dilemma.

"It is his right as the president (to call for an EGM), but the resolution
has to adhere to the party constitution. We have to look for the best way to
unite the party,” he added. 

Asked if he was for or against the EGM, he said: "It's not my personal view
or anybody's view, but we, in the CC, had agreed that whatever is carried out
must be in accordance with the party's constitution."

Liow also hoped that the party chief, who had a vote of no-confidence passed
against him at the EGM last week, would respect the delegates' decision.

The question of who will take over Liow's vice-president slot was not
discussed at the meeting.

Liow also thanked Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha for withdrawing from the contest
for the No. 2 post at the CC meeting. Kong, who is Housing and Local Government
Minister, is also a vice-president.

Liow said: "I will focus on fostering unity as my main agenda to ensure the
party's rehabilitation and reformation, the party's strength so that the MCA
will continue to be strong and help the Barisan Nasional in the next general
election." - Bernama

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