The top two leaders in MCA have purportedly struck a deal with former party president Dr Ling Liong Sik.

According to sources, the duo will support his son Hee Leong's bid for Youth chief in the coming party polls and in return, Ling will back them.

This would mean that MCA Youth secretary-general Liow Tiang Lai, who was the 'preferred' candidate for the Youth chief post, will be sacrificed.

Liow was initially said to have the backing of MCA president Ong Ka Ting and his deputy Chan Kong Choy.

On Monday, Ling in a an exclusive interview with Nanyang Siang Pau , described the Ong-Chan leadership as the correct decision.

His remark sent rumour mills abuzz as only days before he had vowed not to interfere in the party polls scheduled for August.

It was also reported previously that Ling had a fallout with his protege Ong when the latter refused to openly back his son's bid for the party polls.

Negotiations underway

Meanwhile, Liow (photo) told malaysiakini today that negotiations are still underway concerning positions in the Youth wing and the outcome will be announced on Sunday.

The wing had formed a six-member negotiation team to avoid unnecessary contests.

It is learnt that negotiations have suffered a setback with Hee Leong's absence. He had flown to Australia despite being invited by the team to participate in the talks.

Hee Leong had recently won the Perak Youth vice-chief and the state's Kuala Kangsar division chief posts uncontested.

He is expected to announce his decision to challenge Liow next week.

As for the deal between Ling and the top two men, MCA Youth legal affairs bureau chief Lim Seng Chai told malaysiakini today that he has not heard anything about it.

However, he said that it could be harmful to MCA if the matter is true.

He added that Liow, who is the Bentong parliamentarian, had a better chance of winning the post compared to Hee Leong.

He explained that the post is always held by state assemblypersons or parliamentarians and the elected Youth chief will be appointed as deputy minister in the cabinet.

Not confident of support

On the possibility that Hee Leong (photo) may be appointed as senator to pave the way for a cabinet position, he said this would not be good as it will give the message that candidates are contesting for cabinet posts.

"If Hee Leong wins the post, it will affect the development of MCA Youth," he stressed.

Lim also pointed out that Hee Leong is not active at the national level of MCA Youth and thus members are unaware of his ideology and reasons for contesting.

"We have never seen him voicing his views on national and international issues. We don't know his way of leading, he has no reason to contest.

"What we know is that he is a businessman who was embroiled in a multi-billion ringgit controversy over business deals involving businessman Soh Chee Wen," he said.

Lim also said that Hee Leong appeared to be not confident since he is meeting with the grassroots to secure support instead of announcing his decision to contest.

"He should announce his decision and ideology to gain grassroots support, not announce the decision only after he receives feedback from them" he added.

Asked if the Ling factor will affect the result, he said that the influence is not significant.

"Maybe the delegates will verbally promise to support Hee Leong, but after considering the interest of the party, they will eventually reject irrational requests. They will vote with wisdom," he added.