KUALA LUMPUR - The squabbling factions in MCA still have not come to terms when fresh party polls should be held despite consensus that there is a need for elections.

All those involved have shown signs they are willing to compromise to ensure that the peace talks continue.

This is especially so with the faction led by MCA vice-president Liow Tiong Lai, which announced the calling off of the second EGM scheduled for Saturday at the party headquarters. Instead, they will turn it into a briefing session.

The annual general meeting would be held as scheduled on Dec 4-5, dispelling claims earlier that it would be postponed.

MCA Information and Communication Bureau chairman Senator Heng Seai Kie said in a statement issued here today that there were no plans to reschedule the AGM to a later date.

No date for fresh polls yet

Liow's faction said it had decided to call off the second EGM after his group and the Ong-Chua factions reached "a tripartite consensus" on fresh elections.

Party sources said all parties involved were still in disagreement on whether fresh polls should be limited only to the CC or should include the entire party structure such as the youth and women's wings as well as the central delegates.

They are said to be waiting for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's return from overseas to break the deadlock on the fresh polls date while Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin continues to work towards finding an acceptable date.

Both sides had met twice with Muhyiddin, on Nov 23 and Nov 24, but were still unable to find an agreeable date and whether the polls should be limited to the CC or be extended to the entire party.

Not enough numbers

Ong's faction claimed that Liow's group had no choice but to call off the second EGM as it did not have enough number of delegates, saying that having a briefing would be a face-saving measure.

MCA CC member Ti Lian Ker said that by having a briefing, more people could attend and it would not be limited to delegates only.

However, Liow's faction denied that it did not have enough delegates.

"We have 1,300 delegates registered with us. However, we decided to turn it into a briefing due to the tripartite consensus and not because we did not have the numbers," said the second EGM chief requisitionist Wong Nai Chee.

One thing clear is that under the party constitution, a fresh polls can only be called if two-thirds of the CC resign or their term is up for re-election.

The party had just held its election, in October last year, and the existing CC members' term will only expire in October 2011. - Bernama