Three-cornered fight for MCA president post

It will be a three-cornered fight for the president's post in the MCA polls this Saturday, with former president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat facing deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and vice-president Gan Ping Sieu.

In expressing their confidence for the race, the trio who have had extensive experience in national politics had said that they are capable of reviving the failing party out of its difficulties and face the next general election with renewed vigour.

They also called for a clean and fair election. The nomination process for all top party posts, Youth, Wanita and Central Committee members was held from 1pm until 5pm today, with more than 1,000 supporters gathered at the party headquarters, armed with banners and dressed in T-shirts showing support for

their respective leaders.

For the post of deputy president, the party's former youth leader Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong will be in a straight fight with vice-president, Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai.

Dr Wee, who is serving his third term as Ayer Hitam member of Parliament, is Liow's running mate while Lim is said to be aligned to outgoing MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

Nine candidates are vying for the four vice president posts including party secretary-general Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha, deputy secretary-general Datuk Hou Kok Chung and former MCA Wanita chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun.

The others are Central Committee (CC) members Datuk Lee Chee Leong, Datuk Chong Itt Chew, Lee Wei Kiat, Tanjung Piai MP Datuk Wee Jeck Seng, MCA Young Professionals Bureau chief Datuk Chua Tee Yong and Gurun assemblyman Dr Leong Yong Kong.

Fifty-eight candidates are vying to fill the 25 seats in the CC including incumbents Datuk Toh Chin Yaw; Datuk Gan Tian Loo; Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan; Loh Seng Kok; Datuk Hoh Khai Mun; Datuk Koh Nai Kwong; Dr Por Choo Chor; Tan Ken Ten and Datuk Paul Kong Sing Chu.

Yoo Wei How; Wong Koon Mun; Datuk Ti Lian Ker; Chuah Poh Khiang and Datuk Edward Khoo Keok Hai and also three who were appointed to the CC this term, namely Datuk Mah Hang Soon, Datuk Ei Kim Hock and Datuk Tan Chin Meng.

Among the new faces in the fray who are expected to give a tough fight are Bukit Bintang MCA chief Frankie Gan Joon Zin, Sepang MCA chief Ng Chok Sin and Datuk Chew Yin Keen, the head of the Bukit Jalil branch.

The posts of Youth and Wanita chief will see straight fights with MCA Education Bureau head Chong Sin Woon and Batu division Youth chief Datuk Goh Gaik Meng.

Wanita MCA vice-chief Datuk Heng Saie Kie will be facing Penang Barisan Nasional (BN) information chief Tan Cheng Liang for the number one post in Wanita.

Both the top two posts became vacant after Datuk Wee Ka Siong and Datuk Yu Chok Tow decided not to defend their seats.

As for the Deputy Youth Chief post, it is also a straight fight between Perak MCA Youth chief Ting Tai Fook and Bakri MCA Youth chief Chris Lee Ching Yong.

The number two post in Wanita was won uncontested by Negeri Sembilan MCA Wanita chief Datuk Lee Pit Chern.

The MCA Youth polls will be held on Thursday, Wanita (Friday) and top leadership on Saturday followed by the party's annual general assembly (AGM) on Sunday.