MCA secretary-general Dr Ting Chew Peh said it loud and clear today - that the non-transparent and unequal distribution of party and government posts had been the main cause of internal strife.

"A good and transparent mechanism is required in the distribution of party appointments and government posts in order to reduce power struggles," he said at the opening of the Wanita MCA general assembly.

"We still have not shaken off the Team A - Team B shadow," he lamented.

However, Ting, who will be contesting for deputy presidency tomorrow, appreciated the fact that reconciliation might take time.

"We should no longer 'fight to the death' but must begin to accept one another again, and return to peace and harmony," he said.

Ting also raised the phantom voters issue which had haunted the party for many years.

He said the party should understand that there are people who still doubted the membership list.

"Perhaps the best for us to resolve this problem 'once and for all' is to conduct a thorough re-examination of the membership list via a nationwide campaign to re-register our members," he added.

He stressed that the re-registration exercise would require great political will and courage from party leaders.

Age factor

Ting, who was the former housing and local government minister, cited several Chinese proverbs in his speech.

"I am all for electing good and capable leaders to continue serving the party and community... I hope you will carefully consider what I have said and use your wisdom and conscience to elect the leaders of your choice," he advised the delegates.

Ting, 62, also sought to defend his decision to contest the party number two post against a younger leader, incumbent Chan Kong Choy, 50.

"Age should neither be an issue in the party nor a criterion for electing a leader. The universal practice is to elect good and able leaders as this will determine the strength of a political party and nation," he said.

"A political party must welcome leaders who are talented, capable and prepared to sacrifice for the party, irrespective of their age," he added.

The age factor was raised in this year's elections by certain quarters who called on the old guards to pave the way for younger leaders.

In a press conference later, Ting declined to specify whether the age factor had impacted his chances.

"This (my speech) was just a reminder to the party. I did not specify anyone," he said.

Post for arch-rival?

Speaking at the same press conference, MCA Wanita chief Dr Ng Yen Yen said she has yet to decide on whether to appoint arch-rival, former deputy leader Dr Tan Yee Kew, into the wing's central committee.

"They are many capable women but they are only a few appointee places. I have to appoint someone with a very specific purpose," she added

The Wanita chief, who was returned unopposed, said a member does need a post to serve the party.

Tan was disqualified from this year elections after being suspended from the party for six months after the breaching the party's code of ethics.