On Nov 4, a total of 35,000 MCA delegates are to cast their ballots to choose the party's new leadership.
Unlike its previous elections, this will be the first for the MCA as an opposition party, close to its seven-decade history.
Although the May 9 general election left MCA with only a single seat in Parliament and two state seats, this has not diffused the tension with regard to the party elections.
Incumbent deputy president and the party's sole MP Wee Ka Siong has announced his intention to vie for the top post whereas Johor MCA deputy chairperson Tee Siew Keong has set his sights on becoming number two.
The two share the same political base - Johor - but are not viewed as being on the same team.
Wee, who is also Johor MCA chief, is seen as an ally of incumbent president Liow Tiong Lai, who has decided not to defend his post, while Tee is the strongman of former president Dr Chua Soi Lek.
Tee (photo, below) had served as Chua's political aide when he was health minister.
It is common knowledge that both Liow and Chua do not see eye-to-eye. In 2015, two years after relinquishing his post, Chua accused his successor of failing to transform MCA and being weak in responding to major issues.
Furthermore, Liow has openly endorsed Wee as his preferred successor.
According to one news report, Tee did not invite the Johor Bahru and Ayer Hitam divisions when he announced his candidacy yesterday, citing that it is a “sensitive” matter.
The Johor Bahru division's chairperson is Wee while Ayer Hitam is headed by Wee's protege Ling Tian Soon.
Therefore, it is widely speculated that Wee would collaborate with another deputy presidential candidate, Perak MCA chief Mah Hang Soon (on right in photo below).
In 2008, Wee served as MCA Youth chief while Mah was his second-in-command.
Mah has also openly called for Wee to take over the leadership reins of the MCA following the party's disastrous performance in the last general election.
As for Tee, he is speculated to team up with Kluang MCA chief Gan Ping Sieu (photo), who is expected to run for presidency again after being defeated in his maiden bid in 2013.
This speculation gained momentum when Gan attended Tee's candidacy announcement.
However, Gan refused to confirm if he would contest for the top post, telling reporters that he would make an announcement on this soon.
His reluctance to confirm his candidacy could be due to widespread speculation that former president Chua (photo) might contest for a central leadership position.
Chua signalled his possible return when he won a central delegate post in Batu Pahat MCA on Aug 27 - a prerequisite to contest a central post in the party.
To date, Chua has kept his cards close to his chest and there is speculation that he would make an announcement later this month.
On the other hand, there has also been speculation that MCA Youth chief Chong Sin Woon would vie for deputy presidency as well. However, many expect Chong to contest for a post of vice-president instead.
There are many in MCA who are hoping that the party leadership elections will not be intense as in the previous contests, since the party can ill-afford a divisive infighting at this juncture. - Mkini
RPF Admit Card will be issued to all the candidates who have registered themselves for the Railway Protection Force Constables and SI Recruitment. The Exams is expected to be held in September 2018. The RPF Exam will be conducted by the Railway Recruitment Board. The RPF Admit Card will be available online on its official website of RPF. Candidates will be able to download the Railway Protection Force Admit Card by entering their User ID and Password.RPF Admit Card will be issued to all the candidates who have registered themselves for the Railway Protection Force Constables and SI Recruitment. The Exams is expected to be held in September 2018. The RPF Exam will be conducted by the Railway Recruitment Board. The RPF Admit Card will be available online on its official website of RPF.
ReplyDelete