Reinstated MCA deputy president Chua Soi Lek today offered his post to vice-president Liow Tiong Lai for the sake of unity in the party.

"If he wants the deputy president's post, I can step down. For the unity and stability of MCA, I am willing to give up my post," he said today.

However he stressed that Liow must come out in the open if he wants to be the deputy president.

NONE "He must say it lah.. . That I, Liow Tiong Lai, want the MCA deputy (president) post...please tell me clearly. I am willing to give up," he said.

Chua also revealed to reporters that since the Oct 10 EGM , Liow had met him three times and contacted him by phone on Oct 13, before the last CC meeting.

He claimed that he had informed Liow on his query to the ROS about his status as deputy after the EGM.

Chua said: "I told him about my letter to the ROS and asked him not to fill the deputy president's post because it may create great embarrassment for him if the ROS declares I'm still deputy."

However, the MCA deputy president added that lately Liow seemed more interested to gain support from him and his supporters against president Ong Tee Keat's faction.

"He said that he wants my people to support him. He also said that Ong Tee Keat is a president 'yang tak boleh pakai' (useless)," said Chua.

He added: "He did not say that he wants to become president... But it is obvious from his remarks."

' Leong was wrong'

He also refuted allegations by sacked legal bureau chief Leong Tang Chong that he had misled the powerful central committee with regards to the letter he received from the ROS.

The letter, Chua said, declared that the MCA deputy president's seat was never vacant. "In other words, I'm still the deputy," he said.

NONE "The letter and its contents were read out, debated and voted on at the CC meeting on Nov 3," he explained, adding that the CC made a decision to reinstate him following a ballot.

In the ballot, Chua said, 22 voted in his favour with 12 against, while four of the CC members, including himself had abstained from voting.

However, he revealed that Liow ( left ) had voted for himself, which he said is improper.

"He should not have even voted on the matter, since he is an interested party," said Chua.

As a result of the CC meeting, Chua was returned to his position as a deputy while Liow, who was promoted to that post after the Oct 10 EGM, was sent back to his vice-president's post.

Liow and his supporters are currently disputing the CC decision and the ROS' declaration.

Liow's group reiterates their EGM call is valid

Clear-the-air talk for MCA divisions