MCA: A Tortuous Path Ahead

After the dust has settled, and the Ong-Chua pair is taking charge, what lies ahead of MCA may be yet another round of complicated tussles.

Ong Tee Keat and Chua Soi Lek are politicians at two different ends of the character spectrum: One has reiterated his non-involvement in factional politics and been nicknamed "lone ranger" in the party; while the other boasts a strong and potentially fiery personality. This unlikely combination is going to give MCA more unknowns in the future.

From what we can see, the election of Ong and Chua shows none of the factions has won or lost all. Instead, a newly formed counteracting mechanism may help prevent any power abuse that may arise.

Such an outcome also reflects a very high degree of democracy in the MCA elections. Having said that, all the good things in life need a most fundamental prerequisite to bring them into fruition, that is to say, the two leaders must share the same aspirations in their struggles to bring about the much needed reforms.

Frankly speaking, the reshuffling of top leadership appears to have been a spontaneous process in the natural restructuring of intrinsic political forces within MCA after the March general elections. And also this alone will eventually salvage and revitalise MCA.

It is undeniable that MCA members have strongly expressed their views through the party election as they inch closer towards mainstream public consensus. Such a choice has also underscored party members' desire to seek changes, while offering a glimpse into their helpless search for hope in the midst of desperation.

Prior to the election, many party members admitted they had very high expectations from the new leadership, but excessive worries followed.

Their worries have been built upon the situation in which leaders from the opposing factions are now represented in the new leadership, which may open up a whole new world of reformation for MCA, but may just as well drag the party into utter commotion.

While there are still a great deal of uncertainties in the country's political future, there are as many unpredictable unknowns in MCA's future.

It is an open secret that Ong Tee Keat and Chua Soi Lek have not been in good terms with each other. Among the newly elected vice presidents are members from both the Ong and Chua camps, and some said seven to nine central committee members (of a total of 25) are leaning towards Soi Lek.

These are all facts implying that MCA may once again sink into chaotic infighting.

What to do with the defeated Ong Ka Chuan? Will Soi Lek be made a Cabinet minister again? Who will now chair the state liaison committees? If the two factions fail to close the gap between them and continue to engross themselves in endless infighting, then the party will only sink faster into destruction.

Democracy is a counteracting force of power, but abusing democracy to launch endless infighting will also speed up the party's fall from grace.

The new party helmsman Ong Tee Keat will most unlikely avert various conflicts and trials within the party. Within the party, the primary task he will now have to face is: how to mend the ties torn apart during the campaign period? How to convert the malicious interactions between them into a positive gesture? How to let the feud from party elections cool down? It needs a lot of wisdom and time as well as sincerity to put things right again.

Outside the party, the situation may only get more challenging.

The situation today, whichever way we look at it, is extremely hostile to MCA. With the rifts within BN component parties deepening by the day, and a strong-willed Najib taking over the reins of government soon, it will remain an uphill task for MCA to wean itself from all the unfair relationships with UMNO.

Another threat comes from the increasingly boisterous Pakatan Rakyat.

Having grabbed controls over five states in the general elections, the opposition alliance is now prowling on the federal administration. This, coupled with the global financial crisis, will most likely mean a cruel duel of survival for both MCA and BN.

Change is not equivalent to reform. This is a simple reasoning that everyone knows. While MCA has elected a new leadership, what lies ahead of the party is an even more unpredictable future. MCA must successfully transform itself and be delivered from its quintessential image of submission over the next few years in order to regain public faith, have its integrity restored, and recoup the lost grounds in the next general elections.

Can MCA do that?

The road ahead is going to be very tough and tortuous for MCA! (By LIM MUN FAH/Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily)

New MCA leadership urged to seriously ask for second DPM's post

The new MCA leadership has been urged to seriously ask for a second Deputy Prime Minister’s post.

Datuk Ong Tee Keat (Right) discuss something with Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek during the 55th general assembly today

Penang delegate Tan Teik Cheng said the party should conduct serious negotiations with Umno to appoint an MCA leader as second DPM.

"If there is a second Deputy Prime Minister from MCA, he will help to guarantee the benefits and rights of the Chinese community in cabinet and Barisan Nasional," he said.

Selangor delegate Kow Cheong Wei urged that such negotiations be carried out before Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak succeeds Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

However, he said such a post should be given with the consent of all component parties and the agreement that they respected MCA as the second largest party and a founding member of the coalition.

"Such a post should only be given if MCA can share the same status with Umno. There is no need for such a post if it has no actual power," he added.

Another Selangor delegate Ng Kok Kiang said such a request must be made to Umno. "We do not want lip service. We want the request to be made and an answer from Umno, otherwise we will become a laughing stock to the Chinese community," he said, adding that MCA should also get a ministerial post related to the economy so that it can help develop the country.

On Friday, newly-elected vice-president Datuk Liow Tiong Lai, speaking as the outgoing MCA Youth chief, proposed the creation of a second deputy chairman's post in Barisan Nasional (BN). Former deputy president Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy also described the proposal as appropriate, timely and not baseless.

In winding up the delegates' debate, newly-elected MCA president Datuk Ong Tee Keat vowed to follow up on calls from the party's central delegates who want the government expedite judicial reforms, review the Internal Security Act (ISA) and revamp its economic policies.

"I assure all (party) members that I will follow up on all the issues raised by the assembly's delegates because that is the mandate given by them to me.

"The delegates are like the cooks. We are the dish they choose. They are the ones to taste it, decide whether it is good or not.

"I agree with my deputy (Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek)’s analogy that too much belacan added to kangkong will make the dish taste bad. (The combination of Ong and Chua’s surnames Weng Cai sound like kangkong in Chinese).

"But I will do all that is necessary to ensure MCA remains relevant (politically)."

Ong said he will try to accomplish all the reforms listed out in his presidential election manifesto.

On the president’s right to appoint the secretary-general and other posts, especially the vice-presidents, he said it was too early to talk about that.

"It will be decided as soon as the first central committee (CC) meeting is held," he said.

Earlier, in his deputy presidential round-up of the debates, Chua had told the assembly he knows how to play second fiddle.

"Weng Cai (kangkong) is tasty as long as it is not fried with extra belacan as it will become unhealthy," he said, adding that as Ong is a strict leader, he shouldn’t have any problems working with him.

Chua hoped the delegates will not see the role of the deputy president as a blind-follower as "sometimes, we have to agree to disagree".

"The emerging two-party system in the country means MCA must be competitive in tackling national issues instead of focusing only on socio-communal problems.

"Otherwise, we will close shop in the next general election if we fail to reform and change," he said.

Chua said his immediate concern was to work with Ong to formulate a mechanism to fine-tune the party.

He also thanked the delegates for differentiating his public performance and his private life, an indirect reference to the sex video exposure that almost killed his political career and which forced him to resign as health minister and from all party posts in January. - New MCA leadership urged to seriously ask for second DPM's post The Sun Daily, Malaysia

BERITADARIGUNUNG: Kopitiam talks say this; Anwar's political game and Abdullah's knock on the glass door allow this to happen. We blame no one else. But when the dust settles down, we will all shoulder the problem. It is all because of greed and naivety.

Abdullah to Najib: MCA and Gerakan not happy?

Gerakan and MCA we are told, are of the opinion that all BN components should be "involved' and "consulted" on the Abdullah – Najib transition plan. It's only natural that they want in (in the talks ). After all they are friends of UMNO. Their take on the matter must surely worth something if not everything. So they say.

source: What An Unhappy Lot? Sin Chew Jit Poh

MCA "No" To Any Hasty Decision To Leave BN

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 21 (Bernama) -- An MCA leader said today the party should "look at the bigger picture" and not rush into a hasty decision to leave the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, in which it was the second-largest party, despite the thinking of several Chinese community leaders to that effect.

Party vice-president Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai said the Chinese-based party should not think of leaving the BN for the sake of leaving or because its members were angry at one or two persons but instead look at the long-term effect of such an action.

"A country with a multi-racial society like Malaysia needs a mix in order to have a peaceful environment for everyone. So, to have all Chinese-based parties going to the opposition and only Malay-based parties in the ruling coalition would definitely create more tension for the country, which is bad for business and the economy.

full text here: MCA "No" To Any Hasty Decision To Leave BN
Bernama, Malaysia

Don’t believe Anwar, urges Liow

PENANG: The Chinese community has been advised not to be hoodwinked by PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s promises.

MCA Youth chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said Anwar had caused “severe” damage to the community through his many unfair policies when he was Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister.

“He was responsible for putting non-Chinese educated administrators in Chinese schools and he was also against relocating Chinese schools or increasing the number of Chinese schools,” he said at a luncheon with state MCA committee members yesterday.

“But now he is portraying a totally different image. He can promise you the world since he is no longer in power and even the DAP and PAS are placing high hopes on him to bring changes.”

He also criticised PAS for trying to implement the hudud law and hit out at DAP for forming a collaboration with the Islamist party in the five Pakatan Rakyat-led state governments.

“Their collaboration with PAS has raised concerns among non-Muslims who have always been fearful of PAS’ plans to set up an Islamic state,” he said. source

BERITADARIGUNUNG: Am waiting for UMNO Youth fierce remarks.

Have open tenders, PM urged

Have open tenders, PM urged

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should ensure that all projects are awarded through open tender, MCA Education Bureau chief Senator Datuk Lee Sing Chooi said.

Lee said projects should be implemented transparently and contracts not just given to those who were “influential and powerful”.

“This will be one of the effective ways to fight corrupt practices and corruption in all forms.

“It is time for the new administration to heed the call to stay away from corruption and serve with integrity and dignity. The 2008 election result is a wake-up call for Barisan Nasional to review and re-engineer itself to stay relevant,” he said in a press statement.

The star online

BERITADARIGUNUNG: As the message is for PM, then it refers only to million dollar projects. Small projects never require PM's endorsement. Direct Nego is a term commonly used during the last 4 years. And now MCA is talking.