MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik today announced the names of new party state chiefs and revealed a partial list of new bureau chiefs.

Speaking at a press conference at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Ling said he has decided to relinquish his post as MCA Selangor and Johor state chairperson to pave the way for younger leaders.

Assuming these positions are two Ling loyalists party vice-president Ong Ka Ting will become Selangor chief while Dr Chua Soi Lek will helm MCA Johor.

Four more new state chiefs appointed were: central committee member Chor Chee Heung (Perlis), Wong Kam Hoong (Penang), Hon Choon Kim (Negeri Sembilan), and Poh Ah Tiam (Melaka).

All these states were seen as more inclined towards Ling's faction during the days of conflict.

MCA was plagued by a year-long conflict since last May which saw the party split into two camps Team A led by Ling and Team B by deputy president Lim Ah Lek.

The strife forced Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to present a peace plan last July which among others called for the status quo to be maintained.

Bureau chiefs axed

Meanwhile, Ling also announced that the services of all bureau chiefs, except a few "urgent ones" have been terminated pending further discussion on new appointments.

Of the 18 bureau chiefs, only six were re-appointed. Five of them were known to be aligned to Ling while one Fu Ah Kiow who is in charge of the religious affairs bureau was a Team B supporter.

The other bureau chiefs retained were: secretary-general Dr Ting Chew Peh (education), vice-presidents Dr Fong Chan On (economics) and Ong Ka Ting (Chinese guilds and associations consultation), and central committee members Ho Lim Teck (political education) and Leong Tang Chong (legal affairs).

Among the Team B figures axed as bureau chiefs was vice-president Chua Jui Meng who held two portfolios trade, industrial development and small and medium industries (SMIs) as well as English-speaking membership.

Another Team B supporter who saw his services as bureau chief terminated was former vice-president Yap Pian Hon who oversaw new village affairs.