Ka Ting comeback ?

2010/03/14

Eileen Ng

KUALA LUMPUR: The surprise, last-ditch attempt to rally support for the return of Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting as president of the MCA ahead of Saturday’s nominations has received the endorsement of party elder, Tan Sri Lim Ah Lek. This hint of a momentum for Ka Ting came as incumbent president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat announced his candidacy as widely expected, declaring he has no running mates and would work with others to be elected with him.

Ka Ting, on his part, indicated he was mulling over the possibility of a comeback, telling the ntv7 Mandarin news at 5.30pm:

“If I can really help, also for the sake of MCA’s future, I will step in...I cannot decide yet. I need to see the situation first.”

A major concern within the party is the shape of the eventual victorious line-up. Electing top leaders who cannot work with each other will prolong the already protracted crisis. A key campaign theme will therefore be which line-up best offers a chance of reunification.

The emerging grouping with Ka Ting back as leader, is reportedly supported by groups led by vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai; Ka Ting’s brother, the former secretary-general Datuk Ong Ka Chuan; and former deputy president during Ka Ting’s reign, Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy.

This new grouping and the declared candidacy of Tee Keat raise the question over the position of Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and his supporters, among them two vice-presidents — Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen and Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha. Kong, for instance, secured the most votes as a central committee member, a feat he repeated when he stood for vice-president.

Collectively, Dr Chua and his backers retain sizeable support in the party. Dr Chua has been tight-lipped. Asked specifically on Tee Keat’s candidacy, he said: “He can announce what he wants. I don’t want to talk about the elections.” If you don't want to talk about elections , then resign lah simple as that , from MCA . Right cunning old fox !

If this new grouping involving Ka Ting triumphs, a likely scenario is for him to be president for the remaining period of the current term which ends in October next year, after which a younger leader, someone in the mould of Liow, 48, could take over as president. The Ong brothers wield influence in parts of Johor, north Perak, parts of Selangor and could garner some Wanita votes, based on their close association with Wanita chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun. Chan, meanwhile, could still count on the support of Pahang delegates.

A party leader who could well figure prominently in the new alignment said the possible return of Ka Ting is to “salvage the party”. “Nobody will be sidelined...there will be no more camps,” he said. In fact, before Tee Keat’s official announcement, there were suggestions in the last 24 hours that he was having second thoughts. Second thoughts to only CSL's supporters . To them CSL is the emperor , the Chinese people and other MCA people are not important .

“He’s Hainanese, and they are known to be tau fung (unpredictable),” quipped Petaling Jaya Utara division adviser Wong Leong. Saturday’s flurry of events began with a press statement issued by the former deputy president Tan Sri Lim Ah Lek at 2pm.

He urged Ka Ting to seriously consider the call to lead again to “save the party” by reuniting members and leaders.

“In fact, I have received numerous appeals from veterans and members of the party as well as from leaders of all races to convey the above voices to Ka Ting.

“I would like to sincerely urge members and leaders at all levels to join me in the call and rally behind Ka Ting to give him our fullest support,” said the former MP for Bentong, Pahang.

Another Pahang MCA leader, Senator Ng Fook Heng, too, issued a statement to back Ka Ting. Anticipating resistance from those blaming Ka Ting for the party winning 15 out of 40 parliamentary and 31 out of 90 state seats in the 2008 general election, Ng said the former president had taken responsibility for something “which was actually not his fault totally”. Ng is MCA Paya Besar division chairman. Then whose fault is it ?

At this juncture, Ka Ting’s return can hardly be described as a “shooin”. Bukit Gelugor division chairman Datuk Koay Kar Huah said Ka Ting was “obsolete in terms of his political era”. However, others like Tebrau chief Teng Boon Soon is with Ka Ting. Even with Ka Ting as a candidate, Dr Chua who commands up to 45 per cent of the 2,400 delegates will be no pushover.

Puchong division vice-chief Datuk Theng Book, a Dr Chua supporter, estimated that the president could only count on a 25 per cent support.Only 25% Theng Book ? better go and polish your boss's balls longer , or better say president has only 5% support to shiok sendiri . You'll be surprised come the day !