No. 5116 Saturday March 26, 1983 KDN 0067/83 35 CENTS QUOTE

' ON many occasions

' in the past I have told my party comrades that I would not remain a day longer than necessary as President once solidarity and an effective programme to improve the quality of life of Malaysians, in particular Malaysian Chinese, are maintained and executed. That '' day has arrived.

— Datuk Lee in his Press statement yester- day.

By N.V. RAMAN

KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. — Datuk Lee San Choon gave six reasons today for his decision to step down as MCA president and Transport Minister and retire from active politics at the end of next month. The reasons are: • The MCA has never been more stable since he assumed the presidency 10 years ago than it is now; • There is a great store of goodwill among Malaysians to the MCA; • The MCA's ties with its political part- ners, especially Umno, are firm; • The party's self-improvement program- me has taken" deep roots; • Stepping down now would give his suc- cessor adequate time to establish his lead- ership before the party's general assembly next year (when elections will be held); and • It would also give his successor ample time to prepare and work towards the next general election which is not due until 1987. He said; "On many occasions in the past I have told my party comrades that I would not remain a day longer than necessary as presi- dent once solidarity and an effective program- me to improve the quality of Malaysians, in particular Malaysian Chinese, are executed Smooth succession a relaxed Datuk Lee San Choon and Datuk Dr Neo Yee Pan yester- and maintained, That day has arrived." day. - STARpic by YEONG CHEONG Datuk Lee was speaking at a Press conference at Wisma MC A after chairing a two-hour MCA central committee meeting. Looking relaxed in white trousers and a white bush jacket (white is the party uniform), he fielded ques- tions with ease as he sat with the other committee members. Stressing that he hail the fullest trust and faith in the leadership of his successor, Datuk Dr Neo Yee Pan, he urged all party members to

Bahan asal dari Arkib give Datuk Dr Neo the Neaara same co-operation and assistance that they had given him (Datuk Lee). Recording his thanks and deepest appreciation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr and his other Cabinet col • TURN TO PAGE 3 Bahan asal dari Arkib Neaara Malavsia

A show of unity (from left) Tan Sri , Datuk Lee San Choon, Datuk Dr Neo Yee Pan, Datuk Chan Siang Sun and Datuk Mak Hon Karri.

KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. — Datuk Lee San Choon announced today that he will also resign as the MP for but that the date will have to he fixed later. He said that the timing would depend on his con- sultations with MCA acting president Datuk Dr Neo Yee Pan, chairman Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad and with "our voters, friends and supporters who worked so hard for our success in Seremban last year." Datuk Lee won the seat with a 745-vote majority over DAP chairman Dr in a historic victory that helped the MCA demolish the DAP in last year's general election.

CONFIDENCE

The outgoing MCA pres- ident and Transport Minis- ter said that he would meet all those concerned in Seremban before a date Tearful farewall a sobbing supporter says goodbye to Datuk Lee. was fixed on when he was to give up the seat. Datuk Lee also express- ed confidence that whoever was picked to contest the It's the right time: by-election after he retired Lee would win the seat for the Barisan. • FROM PAGE ONE lest support of every not too old, you know, and again earlier this week to Malaysian,'' he said. when I get tired of taking it reaffirm the decision. "When I first went to leagues, Datuk Lee said all easy, I will decide what to The letter of resignation contest there last year, peo- Malaysian Chinese should Questioned about spe- do," said Datuk Lee, who was handed to the Prime ple were saying 'San Choon wholeheartedly "keep in culation that he was under celebrated his 48th birthday Minister at the Cabinet habis' (San Choon is step" with the pace set by pressure from the Prime yesterday. meeting on Wednesday. "I finished). But I was confi- the Prime Minister. Minister to resign, Datuk He also said that today's deeply appreciate his dent I could win. "His concept of Malaysia Lee said: "If you look at central committee meeting understanding of my Incorporated, his recently- my career record, you will "Now, again there is a unanimously agreed on the reasons for leaving,'' he launched Leadership by see that I have never been feeling among some people need for consolidation in said. Example campaign, his call an escapist who ran away that whoever the MCA the party and that he did for discipline, hardwork when there was trouble. He said he had been a picks will not be able to win not expect any problem at and self-reliance to achieve "I have also never in my party member for over 28 the seat in a by-election. the party elections due next international respect and career submitted to any years and a MP for over 24 "But I am confident we year. national growth and pressure.'' years — the last 10 as a can retain the seat," he He stressed that he Earlier, Datuk Lee said member of the Cabinet — said. prosperity deserve the ful- "meant every word" in his in a statement read out to "long enough for anyone to resignation letter to the the Press, that he first con- put up his legs and call it a Prime Minister (See Page veyed his decision to the day.'' PARTY ACCEPTS DECISION MCA presidential council On his successor, Datuk 2). "Political leaders must on Saturday and reaffirmed Lee said Datuk Dr Neo's retire one day. Once you it at the central committee long apprenticeship and ex- WITH 'DEEP REGRET' accept that principle, the meeting this afternoon. perience in the party had question becomes one of "My letter of resignation suitably equipped him for KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. — The MCA central committee timing. has been submitted to the the position. accepted Datuk Lee San Choon's decision to retire from secretary-general Tan Sri "I want to record my active politics with "deep regret", party secretary-general "I am leaving now be- Chong Hon Nyan, as re- deepest appreciation and Tan Sri Chong Hon Nyan said today. cause the timing is cor- rect," he said. quired by our party con- thanks to party comrades He added that the committee expressed ''deep concern" Asked about his future stitution,'' he said. and friends from all over that Datuk Lee was stepping down. plans, Datuk Lee said he Datuk Lee said he had the country. Their "The central committee also recorded its deep apprecia- had not ''given it a spoken to Datuk Seri Dr friendship, co operation, tion to Datuk Lee for his service to the party. It also resolved thought." Mahathir some time ago assistance and advice re- to give its full support to acting president Datuk Dr Neo Yee about his decision to leave main an invaluable asset," Pan," he said and added that all the decisions were "I want to take it easv for the Cabinet and met him he said. unanimous. six months or a year, I am