MCA deputy president Lim Ah Lek's intention to make a comeback to active politics is aimed to bring fresh hopes and reforms to the divided party, said party leaders close to him.

Former vice president and Serdang MP Yap Pian Hon said he is glad that Lim is preparing to re-activate his political career and that Lim's move will be greatly welcomed by the Chinese community and the people at large.

"This is great, many party leaders and Chinese associations' leaders are very happy to hear about this. This goes to show that Datuk Lim [Ah Lek] is a very popular and well regarded personality," Yap said when contacted by malaysiakini today.

"He is sincere and honest, the party needs a leader like him...this will bring new hope to us and we know our party need reforms," Yap who is also the MCA new village affairs bureau chief added.

On Wednesday, Lim announced his intention to return to active politics at a mammoth dinner rally in Seremban where 26,000 supporters turned up to hear him speak and to show their support for him and his Team B leaders.

Since late September, Lim has hinted that he would be ready to make a political comeback if his involvement in the next general election could make the ruling Barisan Nasional stronger and attract more Chinese Malaysians to support the coalition.