As Umno continues to pile pressure on MCA to clean up its act, speculation is rife that warring factions are responding with haste to end the crisis plagueing the party.

NONE According to a very strong rumour deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek and vice-president Liow Tiong Lai met deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin last night to work out details.

According to a China Press report today, the topics included the possibility of a snap poll for the party's central committee (CC) being called in January.

A January date is a possible compromise for the top three party leaders, including president Ong Tee Keat, who have suggested different dates.

Muhyiddin is expected make an announcement either later today or tomorrow, which would likely take place in the presence of president Ong Tee Keat, Chua and Liow.

However, Ong is believed to still be overseas on official duties. Checks with his aides revealed that they too are unsure of his date of return.

EGM maybe called off

Should the new peace plan fall into place, it would negate the necessity for an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) this Saturday, organised by Liow's faction.

According to a source, Liow's camp can turn the EGM into a briefing session instead, should the vote to press for fresh polls is called off.

The trio have independently expressed the necessity of holding fresh polls, but all differ on the specific date.

NONE Ong is adamant that polls be delayed for six to eight month, allowing time for the party constitution to be amended to allow a bigger pool of voters to decide the CC composition.

His ally-turned-enemy Liow is pressing for a December date because his faction believe that early fresh polls would end the crisis faster.

Speculation is also rife that Liow's faction wants early fresh polls in order to maintain the momentum against the Ong and Chua camps.

Chua-Liow alliance?

chua soi lek pc after bagan bn meeting 251109 01 While agreeing with Liow that early poll dates was crucial, Chua is arguing that poll dates from December up to February were impractical they coincide with the school holidays season and Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations.

Liow's faction is organising an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to seek endorsement from the 2,400 central delegates to push for immediate fresh polls.

Last night's much rumoured meeting involving Muhyiddin, Chua and Liow is also fuelling speculation that Ong is being sidestepped on the solution for the party crisis.

In the China Press report, former CC member Chor Chee Heung said it was irrelevant whether Ong was part of the meeting with Muhyiddin last night because he had "no real powers".

He added that Chua had played a bigger role in the latest round of developments surrounding the party.

In an environment where switching horses has become commonplace in recent weeks, it would not be a surprise if Chua and Liow are now a joint force against Ong.