The MCA Dilemma and The Future of PPP

By now, we all know that Datuk Ong Tee Keat will be challenging for the President of MCA's post. Also, we expect Datuk Liow Tiong Lai to fight for the Deputy President's post. I use the word "challenge" and "fight" because I expect Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek will rise up and reenter the fray in MCA.

Datuk Seri Chua Jui Meng will certainly not contest for the Deputy's post. If he intends to run for elections, then we can safely expect him to register his interest for the MCA President's seat. What then will Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek do? He has a large enough support inside MCA.

It will be interesting to see Datuk Ong Tee Keat, Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek and Datuk Seri Chua Jui Meng fighting for the top post of MCA. However, I personally expect handshakes and teams although Datuk Ong Tee Keat said he will go into the elections on his own.

At this time, I dont think Datuk Seri Chua Jui Meng will (or should) put his name up again to fight for the Presidency. Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek might have a better chance. He has contributed a lot to the Malaysian medical and hospital systems. I congratulate and thank him for that.

However, in politics, perception and image matters. We all know that his extra marrital affairs caught on tape looked like a set up.

Even if that is true, Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek will have his integrity questioned, his character etc. So that might pose as a problem to Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek if he wants to make a comeback. Nevertheless, his track record in politics and public service should be commended.

MCA will face a dilemma soon when the elections are held and the results announced. Remember the "chai dan" MCA used to have? I wonder if there will be a "menu" this year.

Hmm. The senior members and veterans of MCA will need to worry about a split and a break up of the party. We have seen Datuk Tan Yee Kew leaving MCA and will be joining PKR soon. I expect many more MCA members will leave the party after the elections.

Well, we all know that after elections, especially in MCA, there are bound to be splits and unhappy factions will slam the party and the new line up as usual. Given that MCA and Barisan Nasional did not fare well in March 2008's General Election, the unsatisfied faction with respect to the upcoming MCA elections might consider leaving the party to join the high riding Pakatan Rakyat now.

I shall say this once more. MCA will face a dilemma. And if that happens, Barisan Nasional will be in trouble too.

Anyway, I am curious about the future of the People's Progressive Party. In the run up to the General Election, PPP seems like a rising star in Barisan Nasional with Datuk M Kayveas in the news almost every day or every week. Now, in BN, I wonder if I can describe PPP as a silent and helpless child?

The limelight of BN seems to be focused on UMNO, MCA and SAPP now. Even Gerakan is silent these days. And of course we can leave MIC alone for them to rebrand themselves. MIC members know what "rebranding" they need.

Datuk Seri Samy Vellu should really start to groom a successor and retire from politics. His colleagues of the "golden generation" like Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad have all left the scene.

Back to PPP, I am just curious why isn't Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim or why aren't there any Pakatan Rakyat leaders inviting Datuk M Kayveas and PPP members to join PKR, DAP and PAS in an alliance called Pakatan Rakyat? I believe PAS will not like the idea because their influence and weightage in the Pakatan Rakyat will be diluted if PPP joins the alliance.

As for PPP, the members surely remember the "slap" on their face from Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam in Malacca, the quarrel with MIC and the stern warnings from Barisan Nasional leaders.

The "Election Tsunami" is actually a good one for Barisan Nasional. I agree totally with Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu that BN is now a stronger party.

In testing times like this, and with Pakatan Rakyat claiming that they will takeover the Federal Government soon, it is indeed a test to show who is sincere and loyal to Barisan Nasional. From here on, BN will be able to form a strong united party.

If PPP stays with BN, I hope the BN leadership can at least say a few words about their loyalty to the party and to the alliance of Barisan Nasional. After all, a pat in the back during difficult times will surely motivate BN members and component parties to strive harder.

I congratulate Malaysia for having achieved a "developed" status in politics. We have finally achieve a mature two party political system. I strongly urge Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat to respect the people's choice and stop all the political drama, especially the hopping of parties.

BN claims that they could reclaim Perak. PR claims that they will takeover the Federal Government soon. Well, I have said this many times and I shall say it again till we all understand. The people have voted and made their choice known to the leaders of both BN and PR. Let us all be mature in this sense and let our country progress in peace.