Battle lines drawn ahead of MCA polls
GanTee versus WeeMah to slug it out for No.1 and No.2 posts
KUALA LUMPUR: The battle lines have been drawn with two teams – WeeMah versus GanTee – coined from the surnames of the top two candidates, slugging it out in the MCA elections.
WeeMah is made up of Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong and Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon who are gunning for the respective No.1 and No.2 position.
The GanTee team refers to Gan Ping Sieu and Datuk Tee Siew Kiong who are vying for the post of president and deputy president respectively.
While the race for the top two posts has been widely expected to be a straight fight, it turned out to be a three-cornered battle for the presidency with 31-year-old Ngoo Teck Keong from Beruas MCA in Perak getting into the ring at the last minute.
A total of 68 candidates are vying for the central line-up – three candidates for president’s post, deputy president (two candidates), four vice-president posts (nine candidates) and 25 central committee members (54 candidates).
Incumbent MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai did not seek re-election. Liow is rooting for the WeeMah team while former president Tan Sri Dr Chua Soi Lek is backing GanTee.
Nomination for MCA and Youth and Wanita wings were held at Wisma MCA here yesterday.
Polling is on Nov 3 for Youth and Wanita; Nov 4 for MCA.
Wanita MCA sprang a surprise when the entire central line-up returned unopposed when nomination closed at 5pm yesterday.
Incumbent Wanita MCA chairman Datuk Heng Seai Kie was returned unopposed, the new deputy chairman is Wong You Fong and the four vice-chairmen are Wang Kim Lean, Lim Nget Yoon, Chiew Hong Lan and Dr Pamela Yong.
All eyes are on the straight fight for the MCA Youth chairman’s post between Ng Kian Nam and Nicole Wong Siaw Ting.
There are contests for the post of Youth deputy chairman, four vice-chairmen and 25 central committee members.
Speaking to reporters later, Dr Wee said there was no room for complacency in the fight for votes.
He said he and his running mate Dr Mah would be going round to campaign in the run-up to the polls.
Dr Wee has his hands full, busy attending Parliament sittings as he is MCA’s only MP.
“I will do my best. This is not the time to talk about my chances,” he said.
Gan called on members not to be afraid to seek change in the party.
MCA, he said, had long adopted the “winner takes all” system, which was designed to only strengthen those in position especially when they had the power and resources.
“I oppose this system entirely. Following MCA’s defeat in the general election, we have lost all of the resources, except those that belonged to the party.
“Because of this, I call upon everyone who wishes to reform the party not to be afraid. There is nothing to lose and there is nothing to fear,” he said.