As the dust settles on the MCA party polls, all eyes are now trained on the future roles of new deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek and former secretary-general Ong Ka Chuan.
Chua, who resigned from the Health Ministry and all party posts last January following a sex scandal, made a triumphant return when he was elected deputy president last night. He narrowly edged Ka Chuan, the favourite to win, and two others.
Traditionally, the MCA deputy president is bestowed a full ministerial position and rumours are rife that Chua may soon return to the cabinet. But since he is not a member of Parliament, he may have to be appointed a senator.
Met at the sidelines of the MCA 55th annual general assembly today, Chua said that it was newly-elected president Ong Tee Keat's prerogative to nominate party leaders for Cabinet.
Asked if Ka Chuan, who is currently Tanjung Malim MP and housing and local government minister, would be co-opted into the central committee, Chua was non-committal.
“I don’t know. You have to ask the boss (Tee Keat). If this is raised, we will discuss about it,” he said.
After the March 8 general election, MCA was allocated four full ministerial positions which currently are filled by Ka Chuan, Liow Tiong Lai (MCA vice-president, health minister), Ng Yen Yen (vice president, women and family development minister) and Tee Keat (transport minister).
The burden is now on Tee Keat to decide if Ka Chuan gets to keep his post. There is fear that should he nominate Chua as a minister, Ka Chuan’s sizeable camp might rebel against Tee Keat.
Chua offers olive branch
Cabinet posts aside, there has also been rumours that Tee Keat and Chua are in for a rocky relationship following their bitter spat during campaigning.
Chua however brushed off such suggestions, adding that his priority was to work with the new leadership to revitalise the party.
“Not working together, is not an option,” he said, adding that attacking opponents during an election run-up was normal.
Citing the ongoing USA presidential poll as an example, Chua said whatever happened or was vocalised during campaigning must be put aside once the results were out.
“Every candidate would be attacked to a certain extent. In USA, its worse, more intense... (Barack) Obama and Hilary (Clinton) attacks (on each other) was even more intense.
“In the end, she was campaigning for him. In the end, the party comes first,” he added.
Chua said that he can work together with any party leader as he has gained a lot of experience since becoming a central committee member in 1990. - malaysiakini.com's report
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