Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek and Datuk Seri Ng Yen Yen during MCA leader meeting at Wisma MCA.Sunpix: Sharil Amin

The unity plan, drawn up by president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and his deputy Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and endorsed by Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, is currently being challenged by a faction led by vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

The three-and-a-half hour briefing, chaired by Chua, ended with all present accepting the plan for the party to move forward and consolidate for the next 13th General Election.

Notable absentees were Liow and his key supporters, Youth chief Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong and Wanita chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun.

In an immediate joint press conference by Ong and Chua after the briefing in the MCA headquarters, Chua said: "This shows the high level of concern for party unity, and we discussed five topics, including the distribution of allocations to divisions based on the number of members and electoral candidates.

"We also decided that allocations given to divisions must also be given to the Youth and Wanita wings to show that we fully support them and their activities."

Chua said the second Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) that is requisition was also discussed.

"The motions for the EGM are invalid. Those present agreed that they will not be attending it. Since the EGM is invalid, the result of the EGM cannot be implemented. It will be meaningless to anyone," he added.

Chua said proposals to change the way central committee (CC) members are elected were also discussed.

"We are of the opinion that more of our members at the grassroots should be given the responsibility and opportunity to determine the party's central leadership. The finer details or guidelines are to be worked out.

"We will discuss this matter further as it is now at the proposal stage ... there is a big probability that we will use the same guidelines as Umno. Whatever changes to be made will require an amendment to the MCA constitution.

Because of this, party unity is important to ensure BN's strength," said Chua.

Aked how long the revamp would take, Chua said: " ... suitable time period, maybe six months, maybe more, or less ..."

"We need a new mechanism to ensure that there is more participation from the grassroots in electing the central leadership. We could use the party membership or follow what Umno is doing."

"We need time to consider these things, and the party might have to set up a task force to look into this."

"We have yet to assess the impact of the proposed mechanism. The proposed changes is a result of the CC giving in to the will of the grassroots."

"The grassroots want it that way, we have no choice but to fulfill their expectations," he said, adding that plans for the next general election were also raised.

"Preparations have to be made now because MCA is now more stable despite some opposition," said.

On other notable absentees, Chua said some of them were abroad. They included treasurer Tan Sri Tee Hock Seng, secretary-general Datuk Wong Foon Meng and vice-president Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha.

Chua also refuted a news report quoting Liow as saying that he and Ong were out to "fix" him.

"It is not fair to say that I want to fix' Liow. He is a minister, I am a nobody. It is likely that he wants to 'fix' me," said Chua.

"The majority of MCA delegates, including the CC know their responsibility and level of unity as members of MCA and leaders of MCA," he said.

Meanwhile, Ong said: "The unity plan is not just planned to stabilise and improve the party but also to give an impetus to leaders from various layers to work together, especially to work together after the crisis."

He hoped the plan would strengthen the party in time for future general elections.

"The plan (GUP) will also be a springboard for our efforts to face national polls. Their presence also brought several constructive thoughts for the next CC meeting," he said, agreeing with Chua that the call for change from the grassroots had to be heeded.

Asked on the offer for Liow to return to the leadership and support the GUP, Ong said: "The door is always open."

"The plan is about inclusivity, we mean business and we will never close the door to anyone. I have been in contact with Liow, and it is incorrect to say that any of us here are not in touch with him.

"We made no offer to him, everything is above board and unconditional, he is still the VP and a duly elected VP," said Ong who also denied the news report that he and Chua were out to "fix:" Liow".

"We don't have the time to fix anyone. We want to tide over the crisis and pull the party together. We don't have anything personal," said Ong.