Barisan Nasional deputy chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin has ticked off the media for repeatedly questioning him over the leadership squabbles in MCA.

"As I've said before, I will not make any media (statement) on this. I will not update you from day to day," he said today, when asked for an update into his intervention in the party crisis.

NONE He reminded reporters to allow everyone involved, the time to reflect on the problems and to arrive at an amicable solution.

"Let me take my time and let the MCA leaders take their time. Let us cool (this) a little bit," he said after chairing the National Anti-Drug Action Council meeting in Parliament.

"(There is) no need for us to divulge any information which is not conclusive... which will create speculation. Let me inform you when we have reached a certain level.... I have to first brief the prime minister but the initiative is going on every day, that is all I can say."

Yesterday, Muhyiddin, also the deputy premier, had called on MCA leaders to refrain from making public statements because these would continue to reflect on the conflicts and detract from the process of finding a formula to settle the problems.

"Once we have reached a consensus, only then will we issue a statement and maintain a good image (to prevent) circumstances (where) A says this, B says that, C says something else and D, too, says something else," he had explained.

Last month, 16 members of the MCA central committee had requisitioned a second Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) to prevent a leadership crisis, following the outcome of the EGM on Oct 10.

The second EGM, scheduled for Saturday, is aimed at obtaining a mandate from members to call for fresh party elections.

While consensus has been reached for fresh polls to be held, leaders of the three warring factions cannot agree on the date.

Vice-president Liow Tiong Lai wants the polls conducted by next month or January at the latest.

However, reinstated deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek would prefer this to be held in March, while president Ong Tee Keat wants the date pushed to six to eight months from now.