Chua wins crucial step to contest party polls

KUALA LUMPUR: Although Tan Sri Dr Chua Soi Lek (pic) has yet to comment about contesting in the coming party polls, his supporters are excited.

The 71-year-old former party president gave his first signal of a possible comeback last Sunday. He won a central delegate post from Batu Pahat MCA – a crucial criterion to enter the election race.

“Of course he will go for the presidency if he decides to contest,” said his staunch supporter from Perak.

Dr Chua is certainly one of the most watched names among his supporters and foes alike when the more than 2,000 MCA central delegates were announced at the Sunday divisional elections.

He was president between 2010 and 2013 but did not seek re-election after that.

Speculations on his plans to stage a comeback became rife when the senior politician criss-crossed the country to meet party grassroots.

The meetings became more frequent after the 14th General Election (GE14).

Dr Chua was seen moving in crucial states such as Johor, Selangor, Perak and Penang – which hold big numbers of votes.

But another of his staunch supporter from Perak told The Star that he and Dr Chua had not contacted each other for “some time”.

The supporter also described Dr Chua as one person who knows “when to make important announcements”.

“Even if we called and asked him on his plans to contest the presidency now, he will not say yes or no,” said the supporter.

Incumbent party president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai had announced his decision not to defend his post and to take responsibility for the party’s dismal performance in the 14th General Election.

He also lost the Bentong parliamentary seat to DAP’s Wong Tack.

Last Sunday, MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong announced his decision to go for number one following overwhelming support from the party’s divisions.

The Ayer Hitam MP is also the party’s sole elected representative in Dewan Rakyat. Many see this as an edge for him to go for the presidency.

Should Dr Chua join the fray, it will be a keen fight between two Johor senior leaders.

There is also talk another Johor leader, Gan Ping Sieu, also wants to go for the presidency but party insiders believe it will eventually be a straight fight between Dr Wee and Dr Chua after all the “considerations and negotiations”.

For the deputy president’s post, there are at least three hopefuls – Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun and Youth chief Datuk Chong Sin Woon.

Dr Mah – former Chenderiang assemblyman – had been tipped for the number two post even before GE14.

But his planned ascent and move to the federal level by contesting the Tanjong Malim parliamentary seat in GE14 took a twist when he lost in the elections.

Some party observers see the 54-year-old Chew – who is one of the four incumbent vice-presidents – vying for the number two position so as to not miss this “golden opportunity”.

The other three vice-presidents are Datuk Lee Chee Leong, Datuk Seri Dr Hou Kok Chung and Chua Tee Yong.

Party talk is that Dr Hou and Chua are not keen to continue active politics while Lee will go for the secretary-general’s post.

Under the MCA constitution, the secretary-general is third in the hierarchy after the president and deputy president.

Secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan had announced that he would not be contesting.

A week is too long in politics, they say. With two more months to go before the party holds election to vote in its top brass, MCA will certainly see its fair share of drama.