The conflict between Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and former party president Dr Ling Liong Sik has trapped MCA in a dilemma.

MCA secretary-general Ong Ka Chuan said the party, as one of the BN component parties ( photo ), could not afford to have strained ties with Najib.

“From MCA’s perspective, how could we have a bad relationship with the prime minister (Najib) who is the BN chairperson?”

“If we cannot cooperate with the prime minister, we will have many different opinions. The rakyat will be the victim,” the international trade and industry second minister told Pocketimes , a video website of Sinchew Daily, in an interview.

Ong said that MCA did not anticipate the development of the issue and Najib’s threat to sue Ling.

Ling and former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad were throwing criticisms against Najib, added Ong.

“But the prime minister did not initiate legal action against him (Mahathir); it is different with Ling.

“This has trapped us in a dilemma,” Ong said in the video.

Not abandoning Ling

While cooperating with Najib, who is the current prime minister, is a principle held by MCA, Ong said this does not mean that the party has abandoned Ling.

Najib had issued a letter of demand to Ling ( photo, right ) on Monday, following the ex-MCA president’s call for him to resign.

Ling's position is being seen as in support of Mahathir ( photo, left ), who has made similar calls.

Najib has given Ling seven days to apologise, but the former transport minister is not budging.

However, Ling, who took part in Bersih 4 rally in Perth, Australia, in late August, said he was "extremely surprised" by the legal letter.

"I say to the prime minister, if you choose to sue me, I will defend myself. In all humility, I accept your challenge. I look forward to seeing the PM take the witness stand, as no doubt he would do if he says his reputation is at stake.

"I want to reiterate that I stand by what I said. I will not apologise ," Ling had said on Wednesday.