Although promising to remain patient despite the accusations levelled against him by his deputy, MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik conceded today that the reproach was beginning to annoy him.

"I have been very patient with Lim Ah Lek. I will continue to be very patient with him but I must remind him that his ragging is getting irritating," he was quoted as saying in a Bernama report.

Lim accused the MCA president of playing politics when the latter said he had no plans to step down as president before his term expired in 2005.

However, Ling said he was willing to reconsider his decision if the party could resolve the issue concerning his successor.

Asked how long he would remain patient to such remarks, Ling said: "I will still be patient, forever."

The MCA president, who is also transport minister, said it was MCA members and not one or two individuals who will determine his successor.

Questioned on the possibility of having a power transition similar to Umno, Ling said each party had its own way but normally it would be through a contest as stipulated in their respective constitutions.

Extraordinary means

He added that MCA's constitution also provided for "extraordinary" means that can be employed to find his successor.

Asked what he meant by this, Ling merely replied: "Vote, EGM (extraordinary general meeting)." He did not elaborate further.

He said central working committee members could raise the issue at the committee's meeting.

Last week, Ling announced that he had tendered his resignation letter from his cabinet post to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad last August.

However, the MCA president said he would continue serving in the cabinet as long as the premier wanted him to do so.

Mahathir has yet to decide on the resignation.

Strained ties

Prior to Ling's resignation, his deputy said he would challenge the former for the party president post if he failed to step down before 2005.

Ties between the two have been strained since the failure of the succession talks after the 1999 general elections where Lim's protege and party vice-president Chan Kong Choy ( picture ) was not given the human resources minister post vacated by the former.

The post was instead accorded to a staunch supporter of Ling and also a party vice president, Dr Fong Chan Onn ( right ).

The friction escalated in May last year, when MCA acquired two Chinese dailies. The move was opposed by Lim and the party split into two camps, popularly known as Team A and Team B.