Former MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik has defended the party's current president, Liow Tiong Lai, against accusations that Liow is a weak leader.

This comes with Liow's immediate predecessor, Dr Chua Soi Lek, having slammed Liow for being weak in handling current issues, particularly the racially-charged red shirts protests .

Coming to Liow's defence, Ling said the Bentong MP had done what needed to be done.

"I trust he is not weak as he had recently come out strongly and said what needed to be said.

"That should be enough," Ling told a press conference after attending the 11th Festival of Minds at Tunku Abdul Rahman University College in Kuala Lumpur today.

Last month, Chua ( photo ) had criticised Liow for supposedly failing to transform MCA after taking over in 2013.

He accused Liow of only being interested in taking photographs and appearing in newspapers.

"Liow is weak. He has avoided responding to major issues," Chua had said.

Liow had refused to respond, stating that he had no time for this.