The MCA-Gerakan presidential level merger talks, attended by the top brass of both parties, began in earnest today at Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur.

But apart from announcing that "both parties will draw up a programme of joint activities within three months", nothing concrete was revealed.

Both MCA and Gerakan presidents refused to divulge further details of the merger , saying that all will be made known in time.

Speaking to reporters after the two-hour meeting, MCA president Ong Ka Ting read out the joint statement with Gerakan president Dr Lim Keng Yaik.

Describing the proceeding as having gone "very well, with frank exchanges", both leaders noted the election victory resulting from the "extremely close working relationship" between the second- and third-largest Barisan Nasional (BN) components.

"Both parties, therefore, fully recognise that this cooperation will continue to benefit both MCA and Gerakan, BN and the country," said Ong.

"The meeting resolved that MCA and Gerakan will continue to further strengthen this cooperation at all levels of both parties," he added.

Mutual desire

Ong said the meeting reaffirms a mutual desire to "continue to work towards this goal, and will not allow whatever differences to hamper this effort" in view of the long-term objective of the merger.

The merger was first mooted at a joint party dinner in Kedah last December, followed by a 10-member committee with equal representation from MCA and Gerakan.

Asked for a time-frame on when the talks are expected to be sealed, Lim said it could go either way.

"You just have to wait and see. Let us start working on the joint programme first," he added when asked if this is the first step towards a merger.

Concerns have also been raised over the composition of the merged entity, given the fact that MCA is a Chinese-based party while Gerakan has a multi-racial but predominantly Chinese membership.

Lim's reply was: "It's all contained in the 'frank exchanges' as we have mentioned in the joint statement."

Among those present were MCA deputy president Chan Kong Choy and Youth chief Ong Tee Keat, and Gerakan secretary-general Chia Kwang Chye, vice-president Dr S Vijayaratnam and Wanita chief Rhina Bhar.