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BATU PAHAT: Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek has moved to allay potential rifts among the Johor MCA grassroots created by his resignation following a sex scandal. The former health minister said he would be willing to go on a roadshow to explainthe reasons behind his resignation if the MCA leadership wanted him do it.

In an evening gathering with a large crowd of Johor MCA and Batu Pahat BarisanNasional leaders and supporters here, the former MCA vice-president pledged to be aprime mover for the state MCA machinery for the next general election.Dr Chua also reiterated that he would not withdraw his decision to resign from hisposts despite a memorandum from members urging him to do so.

"Don't let my personal problems become an issue that will divide the BN. We mustpledge our full support to Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman and BNchairman Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in the next general election.

"There are times when the government may make a decision that seems unfair to the Chinese community. But we are a multiracial and multi- religious country andsometimes such decisions must be made," he said.

Many members carried banners extolling Dr Chua's virtues for admitting his mistakes,while there were others who carried posters saying that he had been made a politicalscapegoat."I am heartened by the support you have shown me although I am now a nobody.

"And I urge you all to show support to the next BN candidate and to ensure alandslide victory for the BN in the coming election."In a later speech to MCA leaders, he said he could not go back on his word to resign. "I cannot main wayang kulit (indulge in theatrics) where I resign on Wednesday andreconsider on Saturday. That would not be gentlemanly.

"Later, to a question from the press, Dr Chua said he considered the episode historyand wanted to move on to work for BN and MCA success in the general election."I have been in Johor MCA for 22 years and during that time I have created networkswith Chinese non-governmental organisations and other BN component party leaders.

"Although I may not hold any posts, I feel that I can still make use of thesenetworks to garner support for the BN." On whether he would move out of the limelight, he said: "I will only plan my futureafter the elections."