PUTRAJAYA, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai feels that holding fresh elections for all the top posts is the best way to solve the party's lingering internal crisis.

His views on this was conveyed at his meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak before the Cabinet meeting began at the Prime Minister's Office here today.

Liow, who is also Health Minister, said Najib told him that he wanted the prolonged crisis to be resolved soonest possible in the interest of unity in Barisan Nasional (BN).

"The prime minister had asked for my opinion on how to resolve the crisis and I proposed that the best way would be holding fresh party elections.

"The prime minister will also be talking to the other leaders, party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and his deputy Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek. We will find the best solution possible," he told reporters here.

Yesterday, Najib said he would meet with the warring factions to seek a fast end to the worsening crisis in the MCA.

He had said that the inability of the MCA leadership to end the impasse could result in the second biggest component party in BN to lose the trust and confidence of the people.

Asked whether Najib agreed with the idea of holding fresh party elections, Liow said the prime minister wanted the best solution possible and whatever it would be, it would be considered by him (Najib) and the other MCA leaders.

Liow said he and members of the party'c central committee (CC) were now discussing about getting agreement on a suitable date for fresh party polls.

Yesterday, Liow stressed that the party should go ahead with holding the second extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on Nov 28 if it did not want re-election of the CC.

A local English daily reported today that Ong had a meeting with the prime minister yesterday.

On Wednesday, the MCA internal crisis reached a critical stage when Ong replaced with immediate effect, nine of Liow's supporters in the presidential council including MCA Wanita chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun and Youth head Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong.

Following this, Liow said the MCA president was practising "slash and burn" politics by eliminating those who disagreed with him.