Top posts in MCA will remain open for challenge when the party holds its triennial meeting next year, said deputy president Chan Kong Choy.

"Under the party constitution, we cannot restrict anyone who is qualified from contesting for the top posts," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby.

Chan, who is also the transport minister, was asked to comment on a resolution passed during the MCA Gopeng division's annual general meeting on Saturday, which called for party top posts to remain open for challenge.

Chan said he was uncertain of the reason for the resolution, since the constitution is clear on the matter. Anyone can contest provided there is a nomination that is seconded.

"In my opinion, there is no necessity for the central committee to discuss this resolution or to adopt it. I don't know why the Gopeng division has passed it all of a sudden," he said.

The division is led by Dr Ting Chew Peh, who is also the MCA secretary-general.

Nanyang Siang Pau quoted him today as urging the central committee to refrain from ruling that top posts should not be contested, saying that democracy should be upheld and members' rights respected.

Ting was also quoted as saying in his opening address that party unity and party elections are two different matters.

"Certain politicians will claim that contest will split the party when their real reason is to avoid a challenge, and thereby strengthen their position," Ting was quoted as saying.

Power struggle

Another of the seven resolutions in Gopeng called on the central committee to amend the constitution to limit the terms of MCA leaders to a maximum of two terms, if they are full ministers.

This is to avoid power struggles among party leaders for ministerial posts, the resolution said.

During the last party elections in 2002, there was no change of leadership under a 'peace plan' brokered by former prime minister and Barisan Nasional chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

This was to prevent an open split among supporters for then president Dr Ling Liong Sik and his deputy, Lim Ah Lek.

It followed dissatisfaction from distribution of ministerial posts after the 1999 general election and escalated after the MCA's contentious acquisition of two major Chinese dailies in 2001.

The three-year long tussle for power ended when Ling and Lim resigned last May and handed over their posts to their respective proteges, Ong Ka Ting ( right ) and Chan.

While the Gopeng resolution is being dismissed as a non-issue, observers see it as a move by Ting - a former Team A figure - to avoid being further sidelined in the party.

After the general election in March, there was an apparent move to replace Ting with MCA Johor chief Dr Chua Soi Lek ( left ). However, Chua was promoted to vice-president.

Chua was also appointed health minister, which resulted in prominent Team B figure Chua Jui Meng - one of the four MCA vice-presidents - being dropped from the post.

Jui Meng's supporters in the Team B circle have blamed Chan for this. They want to see Jui Meng oust Chan, whom they now see as aligned to Ong.

Observers said Ting was hoping to use the power struggle to least secure his own post, since he has been seen to be a fairly neutral figure to date.

'Support leaders'

MCA Youth joint secretary-general Liow Tiong Lai said, meanwhile, that party members should display their maturity and wisdom to support the Ong-Chan leadership.

He noted that the MCA is a democratic party, citing the example of recent amendments to the constitution to limit the tenure of the president, his deputy, and women's and youth chiefs to a maximum three terms or nine years.

Liow, a former Team B leader, declined to state his stand on the Gopeng resolution but said Ong and Chan have led the party into a better era.

"We should appreciate the spirit of unity in the party now. I have faith that members at the grassroots will show their support for them during the party elections," he told reporters at Parliament house today.