With MCA's incumbent Kluang MP Hou Kok Chong being retained to defend his seat, party vice-president Gan Ping Sieu, who has been dropped as a candidate, has pledged his full support to Hou.

"I will support and give my blessings to every MCA candidate, including Hou.

"I hope every MCA leader will survive (the coming election). It is because MCA is facing the most challenging (election) of the last 50 years," Gan ( right ) told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.

He said he would respect the decisions of the MCA and BN on the candidate for the Kluang seat.

Asked on whether he would help Hou in his campaign, Gan, who is also Kluang MCA division chief, said he would convene a divisional meeting tomorrow and "enter into preparation stage" for the election campaign.

It is widely known that Gan has been wrestling with Hou for the Kluang parliamentary seat.

Gan was dropped, along with former president Ong Tee Keat, from the list of MCA candidates for the 13th general election.

Asked on whether his alignment with Ong's faction during the MCA infighting of 2010 had cost him the candidacy, Gan declined to respond.

"I wouldn't want to build a castle in my mind, on what has happened... I am prepared to put aside my personal feelings," he said.