If the MCA faithful was expecting full focus on matters of party unity at this morning's central committee meeting, it had to wait for the credits to roll first.

Newly-appointed president Ong Ka Ting spent the better part of the time heaping praise on his former boss and mentor, describing ex-president Dr Ling Liong Sik as a man of vision who has contributed immensely to the party.

Later describing meeting as very "fruitful", Ong said the committee had unanimously agreed to bestow three titles on Ling - honorary life president, father of Tunku Abdul Rahman College (Tarc) Development' and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) council chairperson..

"The atmosphere was very good, we reached consensus on many other issues. We sense the unity prevailing among us. It's very good," Ong said..

"In view of the loyal and meritorious services rendered to the party, Chinese community and the nation by Ling, the committee has unanimously appointed him honorary life president."

(Tarc and Utar were established and are run by MCA. The only other holder of 'president for life' is another former president Lee San Choon.)

The "Father of Tarc Development" title was in recognition of Ling's "tremendous contributions towards the development and expansion of the college during his presidency".

All CC members were in attendance today except for vice-presidents Chua Jui Meng and Dr Fong Chan Onn. The two, who are ministers, are on official duty abroad.

Apointees retained

Ong said the committee would only fill the two vacant vice-presidents' posts at a "suitable time", but would not say when.

"We have many things to sort out now - how to give our best services, party unity, nation building - we don't want to go into this yet," he said.

He also retained the 30 appointees the president is empowered to appoint according to the party constitution.

They include secretary-general Dr Ting Chew Peh, treasurer-general William Chek and national organising secretary Ong Ka Chuan (who is also his elder brother). Others were state liaison committee chairpersons and MCA bureau chiefs.

On the proposal to limit the term of the party president, Ong said the committee has agreed in principle to table a motion on the matter at its annual general meeting on Aug 10.

The amendment will affect the posts of party president, Youth and Wanita chiefs. The proposal is to limit their term of office to three terms, each of which runs for three years.

The constitution amendment committee headed by Ting will work out the details. He said that if these are endorsed by the party assembly, the amendment would take effect from 2005.

Chinese education

Ong said the committee also discussed the development of Chinese education and pledged to expedite the building of more Chinese schools, a plan to which the government has consented.

Asked about the party's stand on re-opening the SJK (C) Damansara school in Selangor, Ong replied "the party only discussed what the government had promised".

The Save Our School Committee of the Damansara school had urged the Chinese-educated Ong to assist in the re-opening of the vernacular school which was closed in January 2001.

Formerly one of the six vice-presidents, Ong took over the top party post on May 23, when Ling and his deputy, Lim Ah Lek, stepped down. Another vice-president Chan Kong Choy was made deputy president.

Five days later, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad accepted Ling's resignation as Transport Minister.