This follows former deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek (left) who, this afternoon, confirmed he will be contesting for the party's top post next week. Backed by more than 1,000 supporters at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur, the 61 year-old seasoned politician and former health minister will face incumbent Ong Tee Keat and former president Ong Ka Ting.
Wearing a red short-sleeve batik shirt, he arrived to a colourful reception of loud cheers and whistles at the hotel at about 3.10pm.
Also present in the announcement was Housing and Local Government Minister and Chua's running mate Kong Cho Ha, as well as former party vice-president Tan Chai Ho.
Chai Ho is expected to mount a challenge to the vice-presidency again.
Nominations for the top party post will be done tomorrow.
About 40 division representatives and 30 division chiefs from Kelantan, Kedah, Johor, Melaka, Selangor and the Federal Territory were also present to support Dr Chua's candidacy.
Party supporters had gathered at the hotel entrance and packed the ballroom as early as noon today, carrying banners supporting Chua in his bid to be party president.
Supporters wearing yellow, white and blue shirts whistled each time Chua's supporters arrived.
Sacked after winning the deputy presidency, Chua was reinstated by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) on Nov 3 following the party's impasse and its emergency general meeting in October.
He will now have to make or break to win the party presidency in what is expected to be a tight contest.
He told reporters that he expects his detractors to use the issue of the sex scandal he was embroiled in to attack him.
He is nevertheless ready to face up to the challenge: "I'm not immune, but I'm ready to face it."
There are no perfect political leaders, he said.
[More to follow]
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