MCA president Ong Tee Keat today came under renewed pressure from former loyalists over the unity plan that he set in place on Oct 22 with ex-deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek.

NONE Newly-appointed deputy president Liow Tiong Lai ( left ), Wanita chief Chew Mei Fun and Youth head Wee Ka Siong today said they are unaware of what the plan involves.

"Ong informed me that there is a unity plan (before making it public), but did not explain its contents," claimed Liow.

At a press conference at MCA headquarters today, the trio and 12 other central committee (CC) members called for a meeting on the details.

They circulated an unsigned statement, said to have been approved by "a majority" of CC members.

Chew said the "whole CC is disappointed because they were not consulted", while Wee said "everyone would be okay with unity".

However, Wee also said the party does not revolve around one or two individuals, and that there are 930,000 members to consider as well.

Under the peace plan, Ong and Chua agreed to end their long-running feud in the party's interests. The deal allows Ong to remain as president despite the vote of no-confidence passed at the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on Oct 10.

' Baseless allegations'

Liow responded to recent reports in which certain CC members were accused of trying to topple Ong.

azlan "CC members did not intend this," he said, expressing disappointment and calling the allegations "wild and baseless".

"The smear campaign within the party has to stop. We would like to make this crystal clear. It is uncalled for to label a person 'traitor' or 'betrayer'," he said.

In their statement, the 14 pointed out that they do not have vested interests as alleged by party colleagues and members of the public.

To clear their name, they outlined the chronology of developments since the EGM. (See chart)

However, they said after Ong came back from his vacation, he changed his mind and decided to stay on as president but 'was not brave enough' to inform the CC.

Ong, they noted, decided at the Oct 15 CC meeting to proceed with a second EGM under Article 30.1 of the constitution, over the objections of some of them.

The statement also called on Ong to reinstate sacked legal bureau chief Leong Tang Chong.

Liow reiterated his call for leaders to respect the decisions made at the EGM, pointing out that much confusion has arisen from Ong's flip-flop over his intention to resign .

Ong hounded by media

Meanwhile, Bernama reported that Ong called for a stop to statements considered damaging to party unity.

"Anybody in his right frame of mind would certainly know the weightage... which one should take the back seat and which one should be given priority in the interest of the community, the Malaysian people and the nation," he said.

Ong, who is also transport minister, was hounded by the media after attending the Marseilles Fos Port Authority roadshow and signing ceremony of the halal hub sister port hub agreement here today.

Asked on Liow's statment that he had no knowledge about the unity plan proposed by Ong, the president said: "Don't forget he was there."

Ong said he had received an outpouring of support for the unity plan from the grassroots in the past few days, particulary from division level and even the youth and wanita wings at division and state levels.

What was important for the party was to stay focused and not be distracted by any remarks which were not conducive for party unity or related to power jockeying, he said.