MCA deputy president Lim Ah Lek said today he would work out a "package deal" with party chief Dr Ling Liong Sik to ensure a smooth succession to the party's top two posts by 2002 when party elections are due.

"We have not formally met yet since Ling's recent holiday (in Perth). I must admit there has been some problems between us, but this has nothing to do with any minister's post," Lim told reporters after declaring open the MCA Youth Assembly at Flamingo Hotel in Ampang, Selangor, this morning.

Ling had said his decision to resign as transport minister, announced on May 22, was to make way for vice-president Chan Kong Choy, now deputy finance minister, to be promoted to full minister.

Chan, who is an ally of Lim, is the only one of the four VPs without a full minister's post.

Lim declined to comment on fugitive businessman Soh Chee Wen's letter of demand against Ling to repay a RM150 million debt, saying it was a "personal issue" pertaining to Ling. ("[#1] Ling asked to pay back RM150 million debt[/#] ", June 13).

It is believed that the two factions have been negotiating informally through businessman Lee Kim Yew, chief of property developer Country Heights, on a package deal initiated by Ling's faction that:

* Both Ling and Lim would retire from politics at the party assembly in 2002, leaving both the top two posts vacant;

* Ling's protege vice-president Ong Ka Ting, now housing and local government minister, be promoted as MCA president, while Lim's candidate Chan be given the deputy presidency post.

"We are waiting for signals from Ling to proceed with formal meetings to work out the deal," Lim said.

Referring to the saga following Ling's surprise resignation announcement, Lim reiterated that "my dispute with Ling was confined within the party itself, and it was not that serious.

"But someone in the MCA central committee has leaked party matters outside, making the issue bigger than it is," Lim lamented.

At the opening of the Youth Assembly, Lim said he was overwhelmed by the delegates' support, expressed by intermittent applause interrupting his address, which he inferred as members' concern for party unity.

He hoped that MCA will continue to remain united to face the next general elections and "will not be a burden to Barisan Nasional".

The MCA general assembly will continue until Saturday.