MCA deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek has appealed for patience from party vice-president Liow Tiong Lai over fixing the date for fresh party elections.

NONE He said this was because no one in the party was out to deny another the right to hold fresh polls as demanded by Liow and his group.

"We have all agreed that we should hold fresh party elections but the issue is the date. In my opinion, there's not much difference between holding it in January or March.

“What is more important is ensuring unity in the party...the internal crisis be resolved in the interests of MCA and Barisan Nasional," he told reporters before attending a meeting with Perak MCA members.

Chua said he had explained to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak at their meeting recently that many delegates would not be able to attend if the fresh polls are held next month.

"There'll be problems too if it's held in January or February because of the Chinese New Year celebrations. So, we feel March is the most suitable time and earliest for fresh party polls to be held," he said.

Close the chapter on snoop squad

Chua also said that perhaps the time had come to close the chapter on the snoop squad in the party and instead hand the report on the matter to those concerned.

"People like me are affected, so I would like to see the report. We were called as witnesses but the report was never given to us. This will give rise to speculations which unfortunately will happen.

"Even dead people are exhumed for pathology report to create transparency, to make sure that people are satisfied with the findings and that is important," he added. - Bernama