A MCA leader today urged the partys disciplinary committee to be firm against any member or leader who issues statements that may jeopardise the party.

Central committee member Donald Lim said such members could either be cautioned or expelled from the faction-ridden MCA.

Lim also said he supported party vice-president (and Team B leader) Chua Jui Mengs recent call on party members to be calm and not issue statements which could damage the party.

I hope his statement would be welcomed by all, and let the party members and the assembly decide the next party line-up,  he was quoted as saying by national news agency Bernama .

Divisive deal

Lim, who is aligned to Team A, said as a party which practices a democratic system, any differences should be raised at party meetings. The minority should respect the party's decision and let the majority rule the party, he added.

"If you think so and so is not good, you can elect another during the party's elections," said Lim who is also the transport ministry parliamentary secretary.

MCA  the second largest party in the ruling coalition Barisan Nasional  plunged into an abyss of woes, following its controversial acquisition of two Chinese dailies last year.

The divisive deal, which evoked harsh criticism from the Chinese community and other quarters, saw party members and leaders split into two camps  better known as Team A and Team B.

Team A, which favoured the acquisition, is led by party president Dr Ling Liong Sik while Team B is led by deputy president Lim Ah Lek.