KUALA LUMPUR: Outgoing MCA Youth chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai Friday (17 Oct) proposed that there be two deputy chairman's posts in Barisan Nasional with one of them filled by an MCA leader.

He said said this was necessary in view that the BN structure should reflect the position, importance and representation of all the component parties.

The proposal was a reasonable one as the MCA had constantly played an important role in the formation of the government and the principle of power sharing since pre-independence days, he said .

"The MCA's proposal to fill the post of deputy chairman is not excessive. In fact the other high-ranking posts can be opened to leaders from other component parties," he said at the MCA Youth delegates conference here.

The conference was opened by MCA deputy president Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy. Present were BN Youth head Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and the Youth heads of the other component parties.

Currently, Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is the BN chairman and his deputy, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, the deputy BN chairman.

Liow, who is Health Minister, said that there should be fair and just allocation in the BN structural reform.

"Only through sincerity and wanting reform can (we make) the people feel confident of our struggle. We need the will and we must be brave to make changes," he said.

Liow, who is contesting for a vice-president's post in the party elections Saturday (18 Oct), said the MCA Youth should continue to be vocal on issues of public interest like social justice, the corruption problem, transparency of the administration and judicial reforms.

"As a front which upholds the principle of cooperation among the various communities, the BN will definitely defend this concept. Through this platform the MCA Youth will ensure that the rights of all communities in multiracial Malaysia are respected," he said.

He also expressed confidence that the leadership under the new MCA Youth chief, Dr Wee Ka Siong, would be able to take the movement forward. (Bernama)