The six-month MCA power tussle has expanded to the administration arm after MCA vice-president Liow Tiong Lai announced last week that his faction will boycott all events organised by party leadership headed by president Ong Tee Keat.

It was reported that Ong intended to appoint his former private secretary Joe Liaw to a newly created post - chief operating director of the party headquarters located at Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.

This move had raised eyebrows because the headquarters administration is currently led by chief administrative director Lim Chin Hai, once private secretary to former president Ong Ka Ting, who is said to back Liow's faction.

Preparing election machinery

It is learned that Liaw's proposed portfolio was to prepare the party machinery for a general election, but the other side speculated that creating a parallel post to the current chief administrator, is nothing more than marginalising Lim to strengthen the president's grip on party machinery.

Party leaders aligned to Ong argued that Liaw's appointment is to share Lim's burden.

However, those opposin ong ka ting mca leaders pc 050808 02 g the appointment pointed out that the president's camp was doubtful over Lim's loyalty after the infighting erupted due to his close relationship with Ong Ka Ting ( left ) . They believed the former president was quietly supporting Liow's faction.

This development was widely reported by the Chinese dailies, who, quoting sources, said that Lim was upset over the new appointment and intended to resign.

Neither Liaw nor Lim have responded to media reports so far.

Appointment shelved after exposed

MCA secretary-general Wong Foon Meng released a press statement yesterday to quash speculation, clarifying that Lim will remain as chief administration director, and that there is no plan to create the chief operating director post.

"Recently some media reported that Lim was marginalised and that MCA will create the new post of chief operating director," Wong said.

"I am deeply regretful over these speculative and misleading reports", added Wong, who stressed that Lim enjoyed good relationship with the party leadership.

However, Malaysiakini learned that Ong Tee Keat - who is currently on leave for medical treatment - decided to put the new appointment on hold, after most of the Chinese dailies cast a negative light on it.

Some viewed the secretary-general's statement as a small victory for Liow's faction, who had previously suffered a major setback after the powerful central committee (CC) rejected their demand to hold a party fresh polls.

"Boycott" becomes "non-participate"

Last week, the group - comprising 13 CC members - announced another attempt to push for fresh polls. They decided to boycott all events organised by party leadership, including the party's Chinese New Year open house NONE , an important annual programme.

But Liow ( left ) soon adjusted his stance, clarifying that they had decided "not to participate" - instead of "boycotting" - events, that and it only applies to activities personally organised by Ong and his deputy Chua Soi Lek.

He also made a U-turn on boycotting the Chinese New Year open house programme, telling reporters "let's wait and see" on the issue.