Healing the crisis
Ka Ting confirms bid for No. 1 post to 'restore stability to MCA'
2010/03/17
Eileen Ng
eileen@nst.com.my
eileen@nst.com.my
KUALA LUMPUR: The battle for the right to heal the 17-month crisis in MCA took shape yesterday, with immediate past president Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting confirming that he is running for the top post to "restore stability, credibility and rule of law to the party".
An absorbing contest is underway with former deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek ready to present his case for the presidency on Friday, and president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat unwavering in his quest to complete his "agenda for reform".
The line-up of candidates for all posts will be unveiled on Monday ahead of the March 28 party polls.
The many bids have obscured the race for the No. 2 post, and possibly the right to seek the presidency when MCA next goes to the polls in October next year.
For the other posts, Ka Ting and Dr Chua may tell delegates to elect personalities they are most comfortable with. Tee Keat is known to be unaffiliated and abhors cai dan (a list of preferred candidates).
Two former vice-presidents — Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha, 60, said to be in Dr Chua's camp, and Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, 48, linked to Ka Ting — look set to offer themselves for the deputy president's post.
The line-up of candidates for all posts will be unveiled on Monday ahead of the March 28 party polls.
The many bids have obscured the race for the No. 2 post, and possibly the right to seek the presidency when MCA next goes to the polls in October next year.
For the other posts, Ka Ting and Dr Chua may tell delegates to elect personalities they are most comfortable with. Tee Keat is known to be unaffiliated and abhors cai dan (a list of preferred candidates).
Two former vice-presidents — Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha, 60, said to be in Dr Chua's camp, and Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, 48, linked to Ka Ting — look set to offer themselves for the deputy president's post.
Ka Ting's announcement was the culmination of a week-long blitz by his supporters to bring the 54-yearold Kulai member of parliament back into active politics.
Some 50 divisions have urged him to return.
He vacated his presidency in October 2008 after five years at the helm to take responsibility for the party's dismal showing in the March 2008 general election.
A key message pushed by party sources was that Ka Ting was a gentleman who bowed out honourably only to be forced to return as a saviour.
Previous contests for the top party posts were straight fights: Tun Lim Chong Eu vs Tun Tan Cheng Lock (1958); Tan Sri Lee San Choon vs Tan Sri Michael Chen (1979); Datuk Dr Neo Yee Pan vs Tan Koon Swan (1985); Ka Ting vs Datuk Seri Chua Jui Meng (2005); and Tee Keat vs Jui Meng (2008).
In a statement yesterday, Ka Ting said he was humbled and overwhelmed by calls from central delegates, members and party veterans over the past one week to stage a comeback.
"I believe that their calls are motivated by their desire to see a quick end to the damaging in-fighting. To all these members who care and love the party, I say, 'I hear you loud and clear'."
Anticipating criticism, he said although he had promised that he would not seek re-election, the party's state of affairs had forced him to reconsider.
In a thinly-veiled criticism of the Tee Keat-Dr Chua leadership, Ka Ting said: "It is no secret that the current state of affairs in the party has saddened me. When I announced on June 28, 2008 that I would not seek re-election of the presidency, I thought I was leaving the party in safe and united hands.
Some 50 divisions have urged him to return.
He vacated his presidency in October 2008 after five years at the helm to take responsibility for the party's dismal showing in the March 2008 general election.
A key message pushed by party sources was that Ka Ting was a gentleman who bowed out honourably only to be forced to return as a saviour.
Previous contests for the top party posts were straight fights: Tun Lim Chong Eu vs Tun Tan Cheng Lock (1958); Tan Sri Lee San Choon vs Tan Sri Michael Chen (1979); Datuk Dr Neo Yee Pan vs Tan Koon Swan (1985); Ka Ting vs Datuk Seri Chua Jui Meng (2005); and Tee Keat vs Jui Meng (2008).
In a statement yesterday, Ka Ting said he was humbled and overwhelmed by calls from central delegates, members and party veterans over the past one week to stage a comeback.
"I believe that their calls are motivated by their desire to see a quick end to the damaging in-fighting. To all these members who care and love the party, I say, 'I hear you loud and clear'."
Anticipating criticism, he said although he had promised that he would not seek re-election, the party's state of affairs had forced him to reconsider.
In a thinly-veiled criticism of the Tee Keat-Dr Chua leadership, Ka Ting said: "It is no secret that the current state of affairs in the party has saddened me. When I announced on June 28, 2008 that I would not seek re-election of the presidency, I thought I was leaving the party in safe and united hands.
"To my great dismay, this not only turned out to be otherwise but also the good values of healthy political culture, good governance and collective leadership practised and advocated by my team during my presidency have become a thing of the past.
"I could have taken the easy way out by staying out of party matters after my retirement as failing to win the presidency would only cause me embarrassment.
"With the current state of affairs in the party and being the immediate past president, it will indeed be selfish if I do not respond to this call for duty and undertake this challenge to bring stability, and restore credibility and rule of law to the party.
"Sadly, putting our constitution to a severe test has revealed weaknesses regarding excessive presidential powers and the abrogation of the general assembly as the supreme body of our party.
"There is, therefore, an urgent need for these weaknesses to be quickly addressed and rectified."
Despite the possibility of a three-cornered fight, Dr Chua's supporters did not sound anxious.
A central committee member aligned to him said: "This is good. It will make it more exciting."
Dr Chua's camp was sticking to a 44 per cent support theory, buoyed by turnouts at his nationwide tours preceding the mass resignation by CC members that triggered fresh polls.
Their confidence soared after a MCA dinner in Petaling Jaya on Monday. It was meant for eight divisions, but 12 turned up.
Serdang division chief Liew Yuen Keong, formerly aligned to Liow, was there to announce that "if Dr Chua decides to run (for the presidency), we will support him".
Tee Keat's supporters are "cautiously optimistic".
Central committee member Datuk Paul Kong said Tee Keat walked the talk and commanded respect from the public.
"As a political party, we should have the support of the people. If you win the party post but fail to gain the rakyat's support, what's the point then?"
"With the current state of affairs in the party and being the immediate past president, it will indeed be selfish if I do not respond to this call for duty and undertake this challenge to bring stability, and restore credibility and rule of law to the party.
"Sadly, putting our constitution to a severe test has revealed weaknesses regarding excessive presidential powers and the abrogation of the general assembly as the supreme body of our party.
"There is, therefore, an urgent need for these weaknesses to be quickly addressed and rectified."
Despite the possibility of a three-cornered fight, Dr Chua's supporters did not sound anxious.
A central committee member aligned to him said: "This is good. It will make it more exciting."
Dr Chua's camp was sticking to a 44 per cent support theory, buoyed by turnouts at his nationwide tours preceding the mass resignation by CC members that triggered fresh polls.
Their confidence soared after a MCA dinner in Petaling Jaya on Monday. It was meant for eight divisions, but 12 turned up.
Serdang division chief Liew Yuen Keong, formerly aligned to Liow, was there to announce that "if Dr Chua decides to run (for the presidency), we will support him".
Tee Keat's supporters are "cautiously optimistic".
Central committee member Datuk Paul Kong said Tee Keat walked the talk and commanded respect from the public.
"As a political party, we should have the support of the people. If you win the party post but fail to gain the rakyat's support, what's the point then?"
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Wonders........
Oh yes.... so you "thought" you left the party in good and united hands.... A GOOD leader "ensure" it is left in good hands - not THINKING it will be in good hands! Buck up, OKT. Perhaps if this time you are the President, leave it really to good hands - your brother? Haha!
It will be selfish if you are not coming back to fight? You are too selfish to help when the party is IN CRISIS, why come out only now?
Tee Keat supporters cautiously optimistic? Where is he now?
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