MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik fortified speculations that his protege O­ng Ka Ting would succeed him by mentioning the vice-president in his resignation letter today.

Also mentioned in the undated letter submitted to the party central committee, was another vice president, Chan Kong Choy, who is tipped to be the next deputy president.

Chan is the protege of Ling's nemesis-cum-deputy Lim Ah Lek, who quit as well.

In capable hands

"I resign with a heavy heart but with a sense of ease in the knowledge that our party will be in capable hands. I have great confidence in the character and ability of my successors.

"I want to thank O­ng and Chan for their cooperation in making this transition possible. Their maturity made our discussions not lengthy but very fruitful," he said in the o­ne-page letter, copies of which were later distributed to the media.

Ling and Lim announced their resignations at the central committee meeting held at the MCA headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

The committee rejected their resignations and adjourned the meeting to 8pm in order to convince the two leaders to retract their decision.

Despite Ling naming the duo, the ultimate decision is still in the hands of the central committee to decide o­n who leads the party.

Both Ling and Lim have been involved in an open feud which has split the party into two camps.

Expresses gratitude

In his letter, the 60-year-old president said his resignation was to pave the way for a "smooth, constitutional transition of leadership in the MCA".

Ling also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, party members and the past leadership.

"As I look back, it was o­n Sept 11, 1971 that I was appointed a member of the central committee by the late Tun Tan Siew Sin. For almost 32 years, I have had the privilege to serve o­n the highest councils of MCA, 16 of those years as president," he said.

"In multi-ethnic Malaysia, I would be failing in my duty if I did not recognise the important role of the Barisan Nasional. I owe all my BN colleagues a big debt of gratitude, especially to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad who was always fatherly and never selfish with his words of wisdom and guidance," he added.

Ling, who is also transport minister, ended his letter by saying, "...I have always tried to give my best, forgive me, if my best was sometimes not good enough."

Meanwhile, Lim said his reason for resigning was in the interest of the party and BN in order to see a united MCA for the upcoming general election.

The former human resources minister and MP for Bentong added that his decision was part of the peace plan brokered by Mahathir last April and added that "nobody is indispensable".

Under the peace plan, the top two leaders in the party agreed to quit simultaneously to make way for the new leadership and resolve the internal crisis before the general election.

Culture of sacrifice

"Thank god, at last I can retire. I am leaving the party post willingly and without any hesitation. I have served the party for almost 30 years. It's time to leave," said Lim, who reminded members o­n the importance of the "culture of sacrifice".

"Unlike government servants who will automatically retire when they come to an age, politicians must learn how to sacrifice when the time comes. All party members must learn this culture," he added.

Lim, who was elected deputy president in 1996, also claimed that he was repeatedly asked by Ling to reconsider his decision.

"I was asked to consider my decision, even the president called me and asked me to meet with the premier because he (Ling) wanted to submit the list of MCA candidates to the prime minister...(but) I am very sincere and firm of my decision," he said.

"When I informed the premier about 10 days ago, he told me 'I will be coming out to help in the election campaign even though I am retiring', and I told the prime minister 'sir, I promise you I will do it to'," he added.

Lim said he submitted his resignation letter to party secretary-general Dr Ting Chew Peh last Friday.

Important issue

Asked o­n his future plan, he revealed that he had promised BN to resolve an important national issue, which if successful, "would be good for the Chinese community and the coalition".

However, he refused to elaborate beyond saying that issue was not related to MCA.

Asked if this was a hint that he may contest in the coming election, Lim dismissed it.

He also refused to comment o­n the successors despite being quizzed repeatedly, saying that the matter would be decided by the central committee.

It was later learned that Ling, who managed to elude the press this afternoon, would hold a press conference at the party headquarters tomorrow to discuss his resignation.