Ex-MCA chief to contest Kulai seat?

THE DAP can expect a tough fight in the Kulai parliamentary constituency in the 14th general election (GE14).

A Johor MCA leader’s Facebook post entitled “Former MCA president making a comeback”, has set tongues wagging among netizens.

If it proves to be true, Kulai will be the second battle royale in the state after Ayer Hitam, Nanyang Siang Pau reported yesterday.

A fight between a former MCA chief and incumbent Teo Nee Ching, who is DAP assistant national publicity secretary, will be the match to watch with the promise of a nail-biting finish.

Former MCA chief Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting, who headed the party from 2003 to 2008, was the Kulai MP from 2008 to 2013, but he did not contest in the 2013 general election in which former Serdang MP Teo parachuted into the MCA stronghold to win with a majority of 13,450 votes.

The post, which appeared on Jan 29 in white Chinese characters against a blue background, prompted netizens to name names as to which former MCA head might be in the running, including Tan Sri Ong Tee Keat, who has already left MCA.

The other names now on political punters’ lips are Ka Ting and Tan Sri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

Asked by Nanyang for hints, the Johor MCA leader said the party’s top leaders had indeed discussed the matter but he was not at liberty to provide more information, saying an announcement would be made by the party.

Meanwhile, Teo said she is prepared to face any challenger from MCA, including former party presidents.

Teo, whom media had speculated would be fielded in Ayer Hitam to take on MCA No. 2 Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, told Oriental Daily News that prior to the final decision on the seat she is to contest, she is making all the preparations to defend her Kulai seat for now.