MCA Youth chief Ong Tee Keat revealed today that he met party president Ong Ka Ting yesterday and discussed a very "wide range" of party issues with him.

However, he refused to say what transpired at the meeting with the new president who was a key leader in the party's Team A faction.

Tee Keat said that he and Ka Ting would not discuss in public what transpired at the meeting.

"When there is leadership changes in a party, party leaders will meet and discuss party matters," he said.

He also refused to disclose who initiated the meeting.

Meeting Chan too

Tee Keat, who is also one of the party vice-presidents and deputy youth and sports minister said he met deputy president Chan Kong Choy for a round of talks upon his return from a 10-day working visit in South Africa earlier this week.

Asked whether he had pressed on the party's new leaders to resolve the phantom members issue Tee Keat said he "will leave the matter to the party and the new leadership".

On the triads allegation , he also responded that "the new leaders know what to do".

"I have done my part and submitted whatever I have to the party, the police should do their job," he said.

Tee Keat stole the media limelights after he abstained from voting during the MCA central committee's motion to vote against the resignation of Dr Ling Liong Sik and Lim Ah Lek as MCA president and deputy. He was also absent at the meeting later that night to announce the new leadership.

He left the country immediately on official duties but speculations continued to imply that he abstained because he was dissatisfied against the new line-up.

Media reports today however quoted Tee Keat as saying his abstention was to comply with the peace plan brokered by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad last April which stipulated Ling and Lim should quit from the party together before the next general election.

He also denied any plan to establish a 'Team C' with other Team B leaders such as vice-president Chua Jui Meng and Wanita deputy chief Dr Tan Yee Kew who were also said to have been sidelined from the new line-up.

Ka Ting's confidence

Meanwhile, according to a Bernama report, Ka Ting confirmed that he met with Tee Keat and described the meeting as a "positive development".

He also welcomed Tee Keat's statement that "personal feeling should be set aside for the sake of party interests'.

"I am always open to discussion with any leaders if they have ideas and suggestion to help boost MCA unity. I welcome such efforts," the president said.

Ka Ting also expressed confidence that MCA could maintain its good showing in the next general election since the new leadership "had been taking measures to iron out any remaining problems".