MCA leaders today expressed hope to see the feuding factions unite during the party's annual general meeting this weekend but concluded that there were still several issues which needs to be ironed out.

The Youth wing - which stole the limelight two years ago with brawls and a bomb hoax - together with the Wanita wing - which saw a delegate slapped during last year's meet - will hold their meetings tomorrow at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

The MCA AGM, which is to be officiated by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, will be held on Sunday at the same venue.

When contacted, Wanita chief Dr Ng Yen Yen said this year's AGM was "special" since it will herald the new leadership.

"The meeting will be full of inspiration because of the new leadership. It will turn a new page in the party's history after a two-year crisis. We will put our hearts and souls together and you will see it tomorrow.

"I don't hope for 100 percent unity but if we have 99 percent, I'm very happy already," said Ng, who is also deputy finance minister.

On May 23, former president Dr Ling Liong Sik and his deputy-cum-rival resigned and made way for Ong Ka Ting and Chan Kong Choy respectively.

Ong was Ling's protege while Chan was aligned to Lim. The party was stricken with an internal crisis which saw it split into two camps, popularly known as Team A, led by Ling and Team B, helmed by Lim.

No problems

Meanwhile, asked on her relationship with her Team B-aligned deputy Dr Tan Yee Kew, Ng said there were no problems between them.

"I have no problems working with my deputy. Over the years, we have been collaborating and carried out many activities," said the Wanita chief, who was a Team A leader.

Apart from the motion to support the parent body's move to limit the presidency term, the Wanita will also table another motion seeking for an additional ten central committee members in its line-up from the current 15 elected members.

However, Ng declined to comment on the purpose of the motion but said she would explain it in her speech at the AGM.

Time needed

Echoing the Wanita chief, MCA Youth joint-secretary Liow Tiong Lai also believed that the annual meet would be meaningful to the party.

"This is the first AGM (after Ong and Chan took over), we will pass a resolution to support their leadership... unity is very crucial to the party in view of the preparation for the coming general election," he said.

However, the Team B-aligned Bentong MP said reconciliation will "take some time".

"We admit that there are still some unhappiness in the party, it is very hard to make everyone happy," he said, referring to the grouses of certain grassroots members over the decision by the party to appoint three state Youth leaders.

Last Thursday, the party president announced the appointment for Penang, Negeri Sembilan and Wilayah Persekutuan state chiefs to end the conflict within the Youth wing.

Commenting on the party's decision to absolve the Team B-aligned Youth chief Ong Tee Keat and several others for their involvement in the Aug 3, 2001 Youth fracas, Liow said: "The decision indicates that party leaders have taken note of our appeals that Tee Keat was not the perpetrator as alleged, we will stop (pursuing) at this point."

The fracas led to the Youth wing being suspended for six months and placed under a three-man committee headed by party veteran Wang Choon Wing.

The incident also became the basis for an explosive claim by Tee Keat that MCA was infiltrated by triads and subsequently a reprimand was issued against him for allegedly tarnishing the party image.

The Youth and Wanita AGM will be officiated by Chan and MCA secretary-general Dr Ting Chew Peh respectively.

Although it is expected to be a tame affair, the MCA AGM is expected to draw a high attendance since the president will be making his maiden speech on the future of the second biggest ruling party.