An MCA state leader and Team B supporter today questioned why party deputy president Lim Ah Lek was dropped as the disciplinary committee chairperson last week and warned that an open factional feud may recur in the near future as a result.

Perlis deputy state chief Loh Yoon Foo said the decision made by the central committee dominated by party president Dr Ling Liong Sik's loyalists should be considered "arrogant and going against the PM's wish".

" Status quo in the party president's favour was upheld and status quo not in his favour was done away with. It is a direct challenge to the peace plan," he said.

He said Ling had either taken Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the proposer of a peace plan for MCA in April, for granted or had taken Lim as a fool for trusting Mahathir.

"I don't think (Lim) Ah Lek is going to sit still on this. The party president has caused the biggest split right in the party. Let's see what Ah Lek will do," he said.

The peace plan, designed to end a year-long conflict between the two camps Team A led by Ling and Team B by Lim in the run-up to the triennial party polls in July had mandated that the status quo be maintained for all party posts. MCA leaders had then agreed to abide by it despite a few misgivings.