Leading a group of 14 central committee (CC) members, newly elected deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai wanted Ong to explain to the CC his sudden change of mind after insisting that he would quit following the EGM results.

Last Thursday, Ong said "in the name of public trust, it is only fair that I, as MCA president, endeavour to live up to the expectation of the people and the members". He had been asked about his earlier pledge after he announced the "greater unity plan" together with his nemesis Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

He also said in a subsequent interview that the statement on stepping down was made based on the circumstance at that time.

"Ong is not brave enough to say that he has changed his mind. It is not up to us whether to accept his explanation or not... it must be brought up to the CC. There is already a lot of interpretation on this issue but to us, the most important matter is to respect the EGM decision," said Liow in a press conference at Wisma MCA today.

Asked whether the CC's collective stand was for Ong to stay on as president or he should respect the EGM's decision and step down, Liow said: "There are a lot of interpretations on this. Some (are) taking the legal point of view and some are looking from the members' point of view. So there are many views on this.

"The most important thing is that we must respect the decision of the EGM. The party is a democratic party. We must respect the democratic process."

Asked to elaborate on what he meant by "respect", Liow said the president ought to look into the issue of the first resolution, which was a motion of no confidence against his leadership.

Asked if Ong did not respect the EGM results, Liow, who was flanked by Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong and Wanita chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, said: "I did not say that."

Wee also stressed that prior to the EGM, repeated calls were made by leaders to respect the decision of the EGM. "The same principles should apply to all now. No one is higher than the EGM," he said.