Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional chairperson Najib Abdul Razak wants MCA to emerge strong and stable after the party's extraordinary general meeting (EGM) tomorrow.

mic election 120909 najib He reiterated that a strong and stable MCA was needed in getting and delivering the support of the Chinese community to the coalition.

Tomorrow, the 60-year-old Chinese-based party will hold its EGM where five resolutions would be tabled, including a motion of no confidence against party president Ong Tee Keat, and to reinstate suspended Dr Chua Soi Lek as the deputy president.

Najib was speaking to reporters after announcing a RM3.5 billion contract awarded to Composites Technology Research Malaysia Sdn Bhd by Goodrich Corporation of the USA to provide nacelle components across multiple commercial airplane programme.

Meanwhile in another development, Ong said that the EGM was a chance for the party members to prove to the community and Malaysians that "we are very serious about changing ourselves".

Choose the right path

Writing in his blog today, Ong said the choice was now left in the hands of the party's delegates to decide on Saturday.

"We can choose the right path towards an era of integrity and accountability, or we can let MCA falter and then wonder why we have lost the trust of our community," he said.

NONE "Once these choices are made, we can start our real work. We then must stand together as party comrades to bring about the changes," he added.

He said that the party will have to reform itself before trying to win back the support of the Chinese community and the Malaysian people.

"We understand that the most urgent agenda for us, above all else, is for MCA to regain lost ground by strengthening the economy, ensure just and equitable policies, enhance inter-ethnic relations and to bring in young members.

"Therefore, we must continue to push ahead with our agenda for change," he said.

New naval ship

Meanwhile, the prime minister was also asked on the possibility of the Defence Ministry acquiring a new naval ship following the fire which badly damaged the Royal Malaysian Navy's KD Seri Inderapura yesterday.

Najib said he would leave it to the Defence Ministry to submit a request to the cabinet which would then decide on the next course of action.

The navy's biggest landing craft caught fire, believed to be due to a short circuit, while berthing at its base in Lumut yesterday morning.

- Bernama