Deputy MCA Youth chief Ling Hee Leong appeared mortified today after being openly reprimanded by arch rival Wee Ka Siong and youth chief Liow Tiong Lai for having privately met Khairy Jamaluddin on Monday without party permission.

In his speech at the assembly today, Ling described the meeting as part of a "information gathering reconnaissance" for MCA.

He conceded that he, Wee (sec-gen) ( right ) and Liow are not 100 percent in agreement over "party building" matters because they are different individuals. He, however, maintained that all three share the same objective.

Ling said he had received numerous calls on Aug 20 not to meet Khairy.

"But I still went to meet him the next day as I felt it was important for the party... we need to collect information before we make a decision.

"I asked Khairy why he was making such statements, and that the Chinese community and MCA are very angry."

Ling said Khairy immediately responded that he has no intention to hurt anyone.

The meeting lasted about one hour, at the end of which Khairy promised he would not repeat his statement.

Ling said he then reported the information to the party's political bureau on Wednesday.

At the party meeting, it was agreed that Liow was to deal with the issue at hand.

"I want to clarify that although I have met Khairy, and understood what he said, that does not mean I agree with him," said Ling.

Pledge in English

He then stated in English that, "as long as I am deputy chief, I am not the spokesperson of Khairy or anyone outside of the party."

Ling also explained that it was his intention to use the 'soft' approach as it is sometimes better than the hard approach.

The deputy youth chief was apparently responding to a delegate who remarked earlier that it was not Ling's job to be Khairy's spokesperson. "Please do not downgrade yourself by speaking for him," the delegate had said.

In his speech, Wee said he understood Ling acted with "good intentions."

"But Ling should not bear the responsibility himself, but allow the matter to be handled together through the party leadership," he said.