MCA deputy president Liow Tiong Lai said today the party's central committee (CC) would discuss the filling of one of the four posts of vice-president at its next meeting.

"It (the post) has to be discussed at the CC level. We do not know when the CC will meet. We have to wait for its next meeting," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby.

azlan Health Minister Liow, who was a vice-president of the party, was elected by the CC as the deputy president to replace suspended Dr Chua Soi Lek after the MCA extraordinary general meeting (EGM) of Oct 10 passed a resolution reinstating Chua as a party member but not as the deputy president.

The same EGM had also passed a vote of no-confidence in party president Ong Tee Keat.

Members must be united

Asked about a resolution to the MCA leadership crisis, Liow said he and Ong often consulted one another over the telephone on the matter due to their busy schedules.

"We are ready to sit down and discuss the party's future, interests and unity. I cannot give a definite time frame (when a solution can be arrived at) but we know that the people are banking their hopes on us, on the MCA, and we have to resolve our problem quickly.

mca supporter gather for ong tee keat 151009 liow tiong lai 02 "In this way, we can stabilise the party, as desired by the prime minister so that component parties (of the Barisan Nasional) remain strong," he said.

Liow said his job as the deputy president was not restricted to helping to strengthen the party but also to ensure that party members were united.

"I want all members to cooperate among themselves and ensure that the party is respected by the Chinese community and the people. We have to get back to work fast because there is much on the agenda to be accomplished," he said.

- Bernama