MCA veteran politician Yap Pian Hon, who has just lost the Serdang division chief's post, has announced that he would stick to his plan to contest the party's vice-presidency in August.

"This will give me a chance to represent the grassroots," he told a press conference in Seri Kembangan today. About 20 division members were present.

"I understand very well that I will face similar pressures and tactics (as those during the divisional elections) again," he said but, when pressed, refused to elaborate on what he meant.

Yap, 62, said his defeat in the divisional elections does not mean an end to his political career "but a beginning for another political movement".

Last Sunday, Yap was beaten by Liew Yuen Kong, 44, the Seri Kembangan state assemblyperson who Yap had mentored to eventually succeed him in Serdang.

Yap only garnered 108 votes to Liew's 196. The latter was the division's Youth chief before deciding to contest the top post, held by Yap for five consecutive terms.

In the run-up to the election, Yap had alleged that top MCA leaders had attempted to get rid of him by requesting Liew to challenge him. The allegation, however, has been denied by Liew.

'Ready for anything'

At the press conference, Yap also indicated that ties have soured between him and Liew, hinting that the latter is hard-hearted and has not honoured his promise.

Responding to a question to describe his current relationship with Liew, he replied: "He (Liew) is an elected state assemblyperson. I am a MP...we will continue to serve the people."

He refused to reply another question as to whether he still considers Liew his protege, saying it should be left to the public to judge.

Yap also said Liew has not conveyed anything about the new leadership's reported decision to support his bid for a national vice-president's post, or the possibility that he would be appointed advisor to the division.

"He will (only) talk to me via the newspapers now,"said Yap, the member of Parliament for Serdang.

On the division's support for him to contest the vice-presidency, he questioned Liew's sincerity by citing an analogy.

"If a thief shouts 'thief', you should know the situation," he replied, adding that it was too early to speculate on whether he would be made advisor.

The veteran politician also said it is too early speculate whether or not he would win the vice-presidency but that he is confident that party members will vote wisely.

Yap said he is ready to face any political tactics, especially after repeated attempts to kill off his political career. He ran for vice-president at four consecutive party elections from 1990, winning three consecutive times before losing in 1999.

He was the first senior party leader to announce his intention to re-contest the vice-president's post in this year's elections. As many as eight party leaders are expected to vie for the four posts.

The New Straits Times reported today that MCA president Ong Ka Ting may face a challenge from Padang Besar division chief Loh Yoon Foo, following a divisional resolution passed last Sunday calling on Loh to take on Ong.

Loh, who is Titi Tinggi state assemblyperson, said he would consider the request. Among the resolutions passed during the meeting was one calling for state party chief Chor Chee Heung to contest the vice-presidency.

One of the most closely watched issues in this year's elections will be whether vice-president and former health minister Chua Jui Meng will take on Ong or his deputy Chan Kong Choy after being unexpectedly dropped from the cabinet last year.