Property tycoon Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew is expected to contest a “top post” in the MCA polls next week, with mounting speculation that he will join the crowded presidential race.
He was coy when asked what post he was aiming for, saying that it will be made known this Sunday, a day before nominations.
“I will be placing advertisements in the Chinese papers on December 15 to let people know how I can serve the party and the Chinese community.
“Let people speculate. When the time comes, I will show my cards,” he said when contacted by The Malaysian Insider.
The top post is currently a three-cornered fight among deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, vice-president Gan Ping Sieu and former president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.
Incumbent president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek is not defending the post.
Lee’s decision to take part in active politics has shocked many as he had always maintained a low profile and has only been active in business.
As the founder of property conglomerate Country Heights Group, he is better known for transforming the world’s largest open cast tin mine into an integrated health and wellness resort, the Mines Resort City, than politics.
However, the MCA Parit Sulong division member said he felt the time was right for him to take a shot at the party elections.
“I am a patriotic person and if I get a chance to play a role in helping the party and the community, why not?”
An MCA central committee leader claimed that Lee had made known his intentions to vie for the top post to both Dr Chua and Liow during the October 21 extraordinary general meeting where Liow survived a motion to censure him for dereliction of duties.
Party veteran Datuk Yap Pian Hon said if Lee throws his hat into the ring, then the advantage was no longer with Liow, who had been touring the country to canvass for votes.
Of the three candidates, Liow is said to have an upper hand in the race because of his incumbency, experience and head start in campaigning since announcing his intentions in early October.
MCA will hold its nominations on December 16, with its elections on December 21 and the annual general assembly the next day.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.