Muhyiddin meets Dr Chua, Liow

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai met with Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday, and expressed agreement for fresh party elections to be held.

Announcing the matter at a news conference at Wisma MCA here today, Dr Chua said the six-eyed meeting did not set any date for the elections.

Dr Chua said he proposed that the elections be held in March next year but Liow felt that the elections could be held next month or in January.

He said many delegates and leaders would be on leave next month and everyone would be preoccupied with the Chinese New Year in January and February.

"I understand that the party president (Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat) agrees that the elections be held after six to eight months. Maybe, he feels that the new election system (direct elections) would be suitable," he said.

Dr Chua said he hoped that all parties would compromise during discussions on setting the election date to maintain party stability and restore the members'' confidence in the leadership.

Asked for Muhyiddin's reaction over the meeting, Dr Chua said: "He hopes that all parties would engage in discussions with wisdom for the sake of the party and the Barisan Nasional (BN)."

Dr Chua also said that he hoped Liow would call off the extraordinary general meeting his side had set for Saturday as the EGM was contrary to the party constitution.

On direct elections, he said the discussions were on whether every MCA member should be involved or the number of central delegates eligible to vote should be increased.

Dr Chua, who heads the panel looking into the new election system, said the new format was expected to come into use only in 2011 as time was needed to make the switch.
-- BERNAMA