MCA Shocker

The above, which is the front page headline today, (East Malaysian edition) of The Star, Malaysia's leading English tabloid daily, speaks for itself. (Click on image for a larger view.)

Yes, as they say, variety is the spice of life and surprises are part and parcel of politics. After all, it is said that in politics anything is possible and wouldn't politics be dull without surprises?

Thus, it was not a total surprise altogether when Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) president Ong Ka Ting announced yesterday that he would NOT be seeking re-election during the party polls in October; although the timing was unexpected.

MCA is one of the 14 component parties of Malaysia's ruling National Front (BN) coalition. It is the 2nd biggest BN component (in terms of number of elected representatives and membership) after the United Malay National Organisation (UMNO). It is also the largest Chinese-based party within the coalition.

Ong's shock announcement came within days after a 3-man panel formed by MCA cleared him of any link to an alleged existence of a 'Snoop Squad' to spy on his enemies and possible challengers. Among the so-called 'victims' of the Squad was supposed to be former Health Minister Dr Chua Soi Lek who resigned after a secretly-taped video of him making love with his girl friend was circulated.

Ong's bombshell also came only weeks after the BN had a comparatively poor showing in the March 8 election whereby it lost its two-thirds majority in Parliament; only the 2nd time in Malaysia's history. For the first time in the 50-year history of the nation, BN also lost control of 5 state governments out of 13. It was also one of the worst outings for MCA.

Despite being elected as an MP himself, Ong opted to stay out of the Cabinet to take responsibility for the party's poor showing. His Cabinet post as Housing and Local Government Minister was taken over by his elder brother, Ong Ka Chuan, a first in the political history of Malaysia.

Ka Ting's announcement immediately sparked speculations that his brother would also succeed him as party president, or at least take the No.2 spot since Deputy President Chan Kong Choy is also unlikely to contest. Chan, who is believed to have health problems, did not seek re-election as an MP on March 8. Therefore, his announcement yesterday that he too might not contest any party post did not come as a surprise.

However, Ka Chuan made it clear today that he was not interested in either of the top two posts and was contended where he is, playing the role of a 'coordinator'. With Ka Chuan's statement, attention is now focused on the next senior party leaders.

The favourites to fill the top two upcoming vacancies are MCA vice-president Ong Tee Keat and Youth leader Liow Tiong Lai. Both are Ministers in the Malaysian Cabinet. The other MCA Minister, Dr Ng Yen Yen, is leader of the party's Women's Wing which makes her (just like Liow) an automatic vice-president of the party. No woman had held the top 2 posts in the history of MCA but then again, as they say, in politics anything is possible.

Ka Ting and Kong Choy would be the shortest-serving MCA President and Deputy President team, having taken over from the Dr Ling Liong Sik-Lim Ah Lek team only in 2003. Ling and Lim, who had been at logger heads for sometime, stepped down together in a formula to resolve the stalemate. Ka Ting and Kong Choy are each said to be aligned to Ling and Lim respectively, therefore making it a win-win situation.

Prior to this latest development, two former MCA vice-presidents were said to be planning a political comeback by contesting the top two posts, although it was not known whether the duo had a pact or who to go for which posts. The duo, Dr Chua Soi Lek and Chua Chui Ming were both former Health Ministers and both from the State of Johore. Dr Chua replaced lawyer Chua as a Cabinet member after the 2004 election. If Chui Ming goes for the presidency, it would be his 2nd attempt. He failed in his first attempt against Ka Ting.

In making the announcement yesterday, Ka Ting had said: "It has been my political approach that a leader should not hold on to one's position for too long." For the record, it was during Ka Ting's presidency that MCA introduced a time-limit for party leaders holding positions as Ministers and Deputy Ministers.

"Thus, his statement yesterday was consistent with his stand all along. He was the first MCA president to limit his own tenure of office, which is 3-term or 9 years. He could have also been in the Cabinet after March 8 had he been greedy or irresponsible," an analyst pointed out.

This evening, a high-powered team comprising MCA Ministers and Deputy Ministers met Ka Ting, hoping to get him to change his mind. At the time of my writing, there was no sign of him changing his mind.

Based on what he told the RTM 2 (Chinese TV news) team who 'ambushed' him while he and his wife were jogging near his house this morning, it is unlikely that he would change his mind. He reiterated his stand that one should not hold on to a post for too long and should give younger leaders a chance.

All eyes, then, would be on the October party polls. Would the two Chuas manage to make a comeback? Or would the young and energetic team of Tee Keat-Tiong Lai take over? Let's wait and see. Having Chinese blood, I am as eager as you, if you are a Chinese.