Transport Minister Ling Liong Sik this afternoon told reporters that he has not handed in his resignation letter to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. He added he would attend the weekly Cabinet meeting tomorrow, but refused to comment on journalists' queries if he would tender his resignation then.

Speaking to reporters in his office at the Transport Ministry in Damansara, Ling maintained that he would not reconsider his stand to "resign from his Cabinet post".

"There has been 'no change'," he stressed when asked whether he would tender his resignation letter to Mahathir tomorrow.

"I have spent the whole day meeting groups after groups of MCA leaders," he said. He thanked them for their expression of support for him.

Ling also added that there were many suggestions forwarded to him, including one for him to take leave and "weigh all the factors carefully" before tendering his resignation.

However, most journalists were perplexed when Ling said, "I'll let you know tomorrow", to another question on whether he is adamant to tender his resignation letter.

Ling is due to meet the prime minister for the weekly Cabinet meeting in Putrajaya tomorrow.

When asked why he chose to announce his resignation yesterday and not earlier when speculations were rife about internal party problems, Ling refused to give his comments.

Ling also stressed that his decision will not affect Barisan Nasional's preparations for the Teluk Kemang by-election.

According to him, S.G. Sothinathan, the BN's candidate for the contest is a good choice. He praised Sothinathan, saying he is a "good local son who is respectful of his elders".