None of the MCA leaders were trying to bypass their president Dr Ling Liong Sik when they joined two Chinese groups to discuss the language issue with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday, said Youth chief Ong Tee Keat.

He said the meeting was a result of several discussions with the two groups Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) and the Federation of Seven Clans and Associations initiated by several MCA leaders in their personal capacity weeks ago.

These include party deputy president Lim Ah Lek, vice-president Chua Jui Meng, and himself, who are in Team B, the faction opposing Ling's leadership.

Ong said the party has not deliberated what it will do about the government's proposal to teach Mathematics and Science in English at great length in the central committee thus far though "enough time and opportunities have been given".

"Since we are equally duty-bound to the Chinese community, those of us who have good rapport with the guilds and associations decided to meet them, to have an exchange of ideas and to solicit their views on the subject.