Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has a different leadership style and this should not be interpreted as losing control, said MCA president Ong Ka Ting today.

He said Abdullah provided a clear direction for the nation and always adopted a democratic style by taking into consideration the views of cabinet members and others, when making decisions.

"His democratic style should not be wrongly assumed by anyone that there is no longer control (in Abdullah's administration)," Ong, who is also housing and local government minister, was quoted as saying by Bernama .

The minister was asked to comment on the prime minister's statement in Havana yesterday that he had his own way of bringing reforms in the country.

Speaking to Malaysian journalists covering the Non-Aligned Movement's summit there, Abdullah said there were still many people who did not understand his style of administering the country.

Abdullah had also said that he was committed to bringing changes in his administration but stressed that critics should accept that he had his own way of doing things.

He had been asked to comment on remarks in Parliament by Kota Baru MP Zaid Ibrahim that the premier had failed to initiate the reforms he promised after he took over the post three years ago.

Open government

Meanwhile, Ong said Abdullah was actually still in control and that his methods were suited to what was wanted by the people now, which was a transparent government.

"The people want a more open government, not one that is autocratic where everything is controlled until no one is able to speak up," he said.

Last week, Zaid warned that if Abdullah did not do something radical, there would be no difference between him and his predecessor Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The premier is currently embroiled in a spat with Mahathir, who has accused his handpicked successor of numerous things.

Despite his denial, Abdullah's critics also claim that his 31-year-old son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin is the country's de facto prime minister.