[Top Photo: Liow checking out the resignation letters before submitting them to the MCA headquarters yesterday. With him are (from left) MCA central committee members Datuk Wee Jeck Seng, Wong Nai Chee, MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong and Senator Datuk Dr Yeow Chai Thiam.]

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA is expected to conduct fresh elections for the party's central committee by next month.

Twenty-one of the elected members had tendered their resignations as of yesterday - triggering fresh polls for the central committee as provided for under the MCA constitution.

Under the constitution, fresh elections must be held within 30 days from the day 21 of its 31 elected central committee members resigned.

Heading the list of the 21 who tendered their resignation letters is deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek who handed in his letter yesterday.

Photo: The Star

Dr Chua, who announced his resignation at a press conference at the party headquarters here yesterday, said seven other elected central committee members had also submitted their resignation letters to him.

The seven are vice-president Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha and elected central committee members Datuk Tee Siew Kiong, Datuk Seri Tan Chai Ho, Datuk Gan Tian Loo, Dr Por Choo Chor, Datuk Chong Itt Chiew and Loh Seng Kok.

Besides the eight, 13 others including vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai had tendered their undated resignation letters on Dec 15 to secretary-general Datuk Wong Foon Meng.

Yesterday, the 13 re-submitted their resignation letters dated March 3 to the party's chief administrative director Lim Chin Hai.

Apart from Liow, the 12 are vice-president Tan Kok Hong and elected central committee members Datuk Wong Mook Leong, Lee Wei Kiat, Datuk Wee Jeck Seng, Dr Hou Kok Chung, Datuk Liew Yuen Keong, Datuk Edward Khoo Keok Hai, Wong Nai Chee, Alex Wong Siong Hwee, Datuk Yu Chok Tow, Datuk Hoh Khai Mun and Datuk Dr Yeow Chai Thiam.

Dr Chua, who is also the chairman for the special committee on fresh election, said his resignation, which came with no conditions, was in line with his stand all this while, that fresh polls were the most appropriate way to resolve the impasse in the party.

"The move to pave the way for fresh polls is not made because of anybody. Nobody is above the party. I hope all will respect the outcome of the fresh polls," he stressed.

With his resignation, Dr Chua said he would not attend the central committee meeting scheduled to be held at the party headquarters here beginning 1pm today.

He said he had informed Foon Meng of the eight resignations but the latter said he would not be at the headquarters to receive them.

As to what post he would contest in the upcoming elections, Dr Chua said he would make an announcement after the secretary-general announced the nomination and polling dates.

Asked if the annual general meeting (AGM) scheduled to be held this Sunday would be postponed, Dr Chua said:

"You have to ask the leadership."

Liow, at a separate press conference here yesterday, said he was glad that eight other elected central committee members, including Dr Chua, announced their resignations thereby paving the way for fresh party elections.

Asked whether he would attend the party anniversary dinner tomorrow, Liow said they would attend if the celebration proceeded as scheduled.

On the AGM on Sunday, Liow said he would leave it to the secretary-general to decide whether it would be on as scheduled.

As to what post he would contest in the upcoming polls, Liow said: "We are very focused on the fresh elections now."