Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad is confident that MCA leaders will be able to close ranks and overcome any problems after the party elections.

He said it is the norm for candidates to make all sorts of statements that could cause uneasiness in the party.

"I am confident they will be able to handle the problem. It is common that during elections there will be different factions who make statements to shore up support," he was quoted as saying in Bernama .

The former premier was asked to comment on the heated contests for this year's MCA polls where all the top posts are being challenged, except the Wanita chief.

Today, party delegates are voting for the president, deputy president, four vice-presidents and central committee members.

It's Ling's choice

In 2002, Mahathir had brokered a 'peace plan' for MCA, which was then witnessing a heightened internal strife.

The party had split into two camps - Team A and Team B - following its controversial take over of two Chinese dailies a year before.

Under the 'peace plan' there were no contest in the previous annual general meeting, instead a compromised was reached on which leaders will helm the party.

Meanwhile, Mahathir said he is sure that things will return to normalcy when the elections draw to end.

On the claim that former MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik was interfering in the polls, he said: "He is the former president and still an MCA member and he has the right. It is up to him."