KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Chua Tee Yong will not contest for a seat in the central committee if the MCA president decides to defend his presidential post in the coming party election.

Tee Yong said that the party was going through a rough time and the move was aimed at reducing infighting among party members.

He added that he made the decision to avoid the perception that the “father and the son” team would take over the party.

“The reason behind the decision is to squash any rumours spread by members, which continue to smear the party’s name.

“They say that the president will stand to ensure that there is a place for me and that a negotiation took place between deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and the president,” said the Labis MP during a press conference at Wisma MCA here yesterday.

Tee Yong said the current infighting between the party president and deputy president would not augur well for the party’s image and its future development.

“I hope all members could set aside their differences instead of continuing the bickering in the media,” said the MCA Young Professionals Bureau chief.

Asked whether he would contest in the party polls if Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek decided not to defend his post, he said that question should be directed to the president.

He also denied speculation that he would quit MCA. Tee Yong stressed that he would continue to fight from within regardless of who leads the party.

-THE STAR