MCA vice-president Liow Tiong Lai said a fresh polls is the only way to resolve the current crisis in the party. And even Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak thinks so.

In view of this, he wants the polls to be held by next month.

mca liao faction briefing penang 221109 01 "We must resolve the crisis by the year end in a democratic way. By next year, we should be able to recuperate, recover and prepare ourselves for the next general election," he told reporters in Penang today.

Expressing optimism that MCA would re-emerge strongly after the current crisis, the health minister said he hoped the leadership would announce a date for a fresh party polls next week before the planned extraordinary meeting (EGM) on Nov 28.

He said the EGM can be called off if the leadership announced the polls date soon.

"MCA must one again become a dynamic and vibrant party for the Chinese community and Malaysians in general.

"But this cannot be achieved by sacrificing the party's democratic principles that we all cherish," he said.

Top legal firm consulted on EGM

Liow said the greater unity plan (GUP), mooted by president Ong Tee Keat, was not supported by the majority of party members and BN chairperson Najib.

He said during their meeting last week, Najib had agreed with his proposal that "fresh polls was the best solution to resolve the MCA crisis."

Liow was speaking at a press conference after meeting MCA grassroots leaders and members from Penang island over lunch at a restaurant in Island Park, George Town. Also present was MCA Youth chief Wee Ka Siong.

Meanwhile, Wee said the question on the legality of the proposed EGM does not arise.

According to him, Liow's faction consulted a top legal firm in the country and was told that the EGM was "constitutional and valid."

He claimed that grassroots support for a fresh polls was growing by the day and that the leadership can no longer ignore popular sentiments by harping on the GUP formula.

Snoop squad - 'it's character assassination'

On the allegation that he was involved in a 'snoop squad', Liow said the issue was an outdated matter under former president Ong Ka Ting.

"It's politicking and a character assassination to smear me," he added.

Former pro-tem chairperson of the 'Save MCA' campaign Theng Book urged the party's presidential council to reopen the 'snoop squad' case following "new evidence arriving at his office doorstep."

He claimed that the alleged 'snoop squad' acted as the catalyst for the current party leadership tussle.

The 'snoop squad' is alleged to be the brainchild of the former president to dig up dirt on his party rivals two years ago.

Besides Liow, others alleged to be in the three-man squad were Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Wee Jeck Seng and Tee Ann Chuan.

However, it was dismissed as rumours by a three-member panel set up by the party last year to look into the matter as it found no evidence of the squad's existence.