KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 — Five MCA division chairmen yesterday urged party president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek to quit immediately to safeguard the interest and future of the party.

“The party members are disappointed with the inability of Dr Chua to handle major issues affecting the MCA,” they said in a joint statement.

“MCA is in a muddle and has no direction. Our president has been a flip-flop and has no principles at all. His random statements on who shall quit and who shall stay have created confusion among the members and this is an embarrassment to the party.

“In view of this, we solemnly urge Dr Chua to quit.”

The five chairmen are Datuk Alex Chuah Poh Kiang (Titiwangsa), Datuk Seri Kuan Peng Soon (Teluk Intan), Datuk Yap Ke Huat (Kuala Krau), Datuk Eng Fook Heng (Paya Besar) and Tan Chong Seng (Selangor).

The five, who called themselves members of the “Save Party Committee 3.0”, said Dr Chua had also not resigned from his post as the Penang Port Commission chairman.

They said that in April 2011, Dr Chua received the presidential council’s support and announced that the MCA would review its position in the BN government if it fared worse in the 13th general election compared to the 12th general election.

In June 2011, he received the endorsement of the central committee.

He then clarified that the non-acceptance of government posts was applicable to all levels — from federal to village — and secured the endorsement of the general assembly on Oct 2, 2011.

“On May 7 this year, Dr Chua reminded those members who had yet to resign to do so and the following day, he said he would step down as the Penang Port Commission chairman but he refused to give a date as to when he would do so,” the statement said.

“Until today, Dr Chua still remains in the post. What is worse is that in late May, Dr Chua used a car belonging to the port authority while in the state.”

Under Dr Chua’s leadership, not only the grassroots party members but the Chinese community as a whole had become indifferent to the MCA. They said he had made a mess of the party.

“The party members are unhappy with the president’s inability to deal with major issues and this has been very disappointing,” said the statement.

They urged Dr Chua to resign from the party “if it’s (MCA) the most important thing to him”.

“Go now and let us start transforming the party,” the statement added.