KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 31 — MCA leaders look all set to make their respective bids for party national positions, kicking-off their campaign rounds and criss-crossing the nation to garner votes for the election slated for Oct 18.
And like the US presidential race, which had now reached a feverish pitch after both Democrats and Republicans picked their respective candidates, aspirants of the second largest Barisan Nasional component party are expected to follow a similar path, announcing the posts they would like to contest.
To date, only three candidates —vice-president and Transport Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat, Youth secretary-general Wee Ka Siong and deputy Wanita chief Datuk Paduka Chew Mei Fun have announced their bid.
The others have decided to play the waiting game.
For the time being, Ong seems to be the lone candidate for the presidency of the party which has some one million members. Wee wants to be Youth chief and Chew intends to go for the Wanita top post.
The position of Youth chief fell vacant, following a decision by Datuk Liow Tiong Lai, who is also health minister, to go for the parent body position.
The Wanita chief post has also seen a vacancy with incumbent and Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen wanting to have a shot at one of MCA's top three posts.
However, this calm setting is about to change in days to come, as indications are that after testing the ground, other leaders are expected to announce their intentions on party positions they would like to go for.
Wanting maximum media coverage, leaders like Home Affairs Deputy Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung and Federal Territory MCA chief Datuk Tan Chai Ho are expected to announce their candidacy for the MCA vice-presidency tomorrow, knowing very well that newspapers would be hunting for stories to fill their pages during the three-day Merdeka holidays.
"I would announce my decision on Monday (Sept 1) in Alor Star after the state liaison committee meeting," Chor replied when asked if he would go for the vice-presidency.
Ong, the younger brother of outgoing president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, had indirectly hinted that he would go for the party's second post, after three MCA divisions in Perak announced that they supported him for the number two post in his presence two days ago.
While Lim is mum on his intentions, ardent supporters of the former deputy tourism minister reveal that the "boss" would also go for the deputy presidency.
"I will announce my decision after the state MCA Youth and Wanita elections," he said. The state MCA Youth and Wanita polls will be held simultaneously nationwide on Sept 6.
Another heavyweight, Dr Ng, is also expected to announce her bid in the next few days, possibly tomorrow, and talk is that the Iron Lady of MCA would fight for one of the four vice-president’s posts in the MCA. Sources also reveal that the outspoken Wanita leader would join the crowded VP race.
Liow, who is not defending his Youth chief post, on the other hand, is expected to make his announcement on Wednesday. He is likely to be another vice-president candidate.
Other leaders likely to join in the fray are Higher Education Deputy Minister Dr Hou Kok Chung, former Penang exco Datuk Koay Kar Huah, former Perlis exco Loh Yoon Foo, former Negri Sembilan exco Datuk Yeow Chai Tiam and former Sabah MCA chief Datuk Chau Tet Onn.
However, the bulk of party leaders are expected to fight for the 25 MCA Central Committee (CC) positions.
The question frequently asked in this MCA polls, though, remains unanswered. Who will take on Ong (Tee Keat) for the party's number one post?
Party insiders reveal that the contender could be either MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn or former MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek. But these two leaders could form a pact and trash out on who should fight the top post.
"However, until now, there is still no light at the end of the tunnel. Dr Chua wants the top post," a party insider close to the two leaders said.
Dr Chua seems to be a clear candidate trading barbs with Ong (Tee Keat) in cyberspace via blogs and this is viewed by many educated MCA delegates as a good avenue to get to know the two leaders.
"It is as good as their manifesto. For Dr Chua, it shows that he is preparing to contest," an aide to a MCA minister said.
In his blog, Dr Chua projects himself as choice to revive the MCA which received a massive blow at the March 8 general election, while Ong portrays himself as a consistent leader "without any moral issue".
However, should Dr Chua, the former health minister, opt to go for the party's top post, the issue of morality due to his previous sex scandal will definitely haunt him during the campaign.
While the two leaders seem locked in battle, former health minister and veteran MCA leader Datuk Chua Jui Meng is the dark horse as he. too, is said to be "eyeing" the MCA top post.
The path is clear for Chua after he retained the Bakri (Johor) MCA division head post and "he is likely to announce his decision next week", an aide to Chua said.
The next few weeks seem to be exciting times for the MCA.
If the leaders think that winning party elections is difficult, they are definitely wrong as another bigger battle awaits them.That will be the fight for the hearts and minds of the Malaysian Chinese who deserted the party in droves in Election 2008.
-TMI
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