Chua likely to retire, announcement Tuesday

Chua Soi Lek and Donald Lim are expected to announce their party election plans next Tuesday, with possibility of Chua announcing his retirement from active politics.

PETALING JAYA: MCA is bracing for one all-important Tuesday next week that would witness party heavyweights Chua Soi Lek and Donald Lim announcing their plans for the Dec 21 party elections.

Sources closed to Chua claimed the firebrand politician would announce his retirement from mainstream politics on that day and hand over the baton to new leaders.

Meanwhile, Lim told FMT that he would unveil his plan Tuesday morning, but did not wish to confirm whether he is indeed gunning for the deputy president’s post as speculated.

Oriental Daily yesterday reported him telling a dinner gathering in Kuantan that he would not defend his vice president post, and “might announce contesting for deputy president next week”.

“I am the eldest among all the current vice presidents, I should allow the young blood to take over.

“If possible, I would like to go for a higher post,” he reportedly said.

Should it materialize, it means Lim might have forged a pact with Chua and he is likely to be Gan Ping Sieu’s running mate in the contest.

Gan, widely perceived as a lieutenant in Chua’s camp, announced this week that he would vie for MCA’s presidency against current deputy president Liow Tiong Lai and former president Ong Tee Keat, making it a three-corner fight.

Liow is pairing with Youth chief Wee Ka Siong who has set his eyes on the number two post, while Ong stands as a lone-ranger.

Chee Leong for VP

Meanwhile, the party’s central committee member Lee Chee Leong told FMT that there is a high chance of him contesting one of the four vice president posts.

“Most likely yes, I will go for VP,” said the former deputy home minister, who is seen as representing Chua’s camp.

National organising secretary Tan Chin Meng was also said to be vying for the veep post on behalf of Chua’s camp, but he declined to comment when contacted yesterday.

On the opposing Liow’s side, former Wanita MCA chief Chew Mei Fun and central committee member Hou Kok Chung were speculated to join the VP battle but both of them wish not to respond.

Gurun assemblyman Leong Yong Kong yesterday declared his intention to stand for the vice president post.

Some 2,300 MCA delegates would vote for a new MCA leadership on Dec 21, and the results would shape the party’s direction for the next 5 years after a dismal general election performance.