Soi Lek won't step down until 'things in place'

MCA president Chua Soi Lek today dismissed calls for his immediate resignation, stating that he will only go at the right time.

"I can understand these people (who are asking me to resign) love the party, but there is also a majority who want me to stay.

"We had a discussion on this and the party members are aware, I will go at the appropriate moment when everything is in place," he told a press conference after chairing the party's presidential council meeting today.

Chua said his immediate priority now was to ensure that the party election is put in motion and the earliest that can be done is next month.

"Technically the fastest possible for the party election to be held is next month, from branch to the national level," he said.

Once the party elections begin, he said, it will take around five months for it to complete at every level and he will only step down during this period.

"I will not contest in the party election this time and when the party election is set in motion in June, it will take until December to end and I will go off anytime during this period," he said.

Need to tie up 'loose ends'

Chua added that he was prepared to take responsibility for MCA's dismal showing in the last general election but had to first tie up loose ends.

"What I'm trying to say, I will not go off just because a few people asked me to step down, but I'm accountable and responsible for the dismal results.

"It is not me alone who is responsible, but as president I accept responsibility," he said.

When asked what Chua meant by "tying up loose ends", he replied: "This is internal party matters and I don't think I should reveal to the public nor does it concern the public."

Yesterday, a group of MCA elders ( above ) led by former party president Tan Koon Swan had called on Chua to "kindly step down".

The MCA elders had described that even if Chua stays on for one minute longer, it would be "too long".