Another Rubbish Crap

Kingmakers may hold the key to MCA tussle
by Kong See Hoh

Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy	Ong Ka Chuan

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 5, 2009): Both MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and his suspended deputy Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek are confident that the outcome of the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on Saturday would favour them. But only one is likely to be left standing when central delegates vote on five resolutions to resolve the party infighting.

The closeness of the fight has left room for those with their own agendas to manipulate the situation to their advantage.

According to an analysis by the Oriental Daily today, Ong has, in his haste to bring about changes to the party and through his allocation of party posts, caused much dissatisfaction.

Undercurrents abound and many "warlords" are waiting to pounce on the party president's predicament.

Chua aside, Ong is also under siege from these local factions and the so-called third force.

Following a month of intense lobbying by both camps, it is becoming clear that Chua has garnered 60% of support in Selangor and Perak, two of the three states with the most number of central delegates. The two are running neck and neck in Johor, with some analysts giving Chua the advantage.

In Kedah and Penang, delegates saying "nay" to the president are clearly out-numbering the aye-sayers.

It is estimated that both men have some 800 votes in hand.

The report said with Ong and Chua running neck and neck, the four "heavenly kings" of MCA may become the "ultimate kingmakers".

Among the four crucial forces are former president Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting's remnant loyalists who are now taking orders from his brother Ka Chuan, the former secretary-general who still has a strong following in Perak. Ka Chuan has not openly declared a stand but is believe to be anti-Ong.

Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha	Datuk Donald Lim

Ka Ting's former deputy Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy, who draws support from Pahang and delegates, is another force to be reckoned with.

Chan commands slightly more support than Ka Chuan and is said to be displeased with Ong's handling of the Port Klang Free Zone issue. He is expected to make a stand one or two days before the EGM. It is worth noting that Chan has been named by a news portal as the leader of the "third force" and the "real kingmaker".

Another force in contention is low-key vice-president Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha, whom many believe may get to sit in the hotseat if both Ong and Chua are rejected by the delegates.

Kong has been working diligently since being appointed a minister and has support in Sabah, Malacca, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Kelantan, Penang and Negri Sembilan apart from Perak, where is is based.

Meanwhile, Petaling Jaya Selatan division chief Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai, a loser in the fight for the deputy president post last year, is said to still have 50-60 votes in his hand and can make a difference given such a close fight between Ong and Chua.