Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai today announced he will be contesting for the deputy president post in MCA in the March 28 central committee (CC) polls.
The decision, announced at MCA headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, effectively renders it a two-way contest between Liow, who is Health Minister, and Housing and Local Government Minister Kong Cho Ha.
Kong announced his candidacy for the deputy presidency yesterday.
Liow said that in his 29 years as an MCA member, he has always believed in championing the party's cause.
"MCA needs to return to its original platform as champion of the rakyat-and to strengthen the party and nation," he told a packed press conference this morning.
Also present in the press conference were MCA Wanita chief Chew Mei Fun,Youth chief Wee Ka Siong and CC member Chor Chee Heung.
Liow said he is willing to work together with whoever gets elected next week by the delegates into the CC to reinforce the party's position so that it can confidently face the next general election.
'I will work with anybody'
“It is my hope that all MCA members will work together towards the unity of the party. We must always remind ourselves that the party comes first, and remain constantly open to voices from the Chinese community when we perform our duties.”
The former party vice-president (right) also reminded party members that the objective of the upcoming party elections is to choose leaders with calibre, not to promote anyone’s personal agenda.
“I hope the delegates will vote according to what is best for the party and base their decisions on the abilities and sincerity of the candidates not according to factions or alliances.
“The election is towards restoring the integrity and strength of the party,” he said.
Liow also thanked the MCA Integrity Restoring Task Force without whom, he said, fresh elections would not have been possible.
He also described the MCA as a strong party in terms of its structure and grassroots mechanisms.
“The current leadership conflict should not affect the vision of MCA. MCA needs to return to its original platform in order to be champion of the rakyat,” the Health Minister said.
Liow, who is also the Pahang MCA chief, will later today see 14 divisions in the state voicing their support for the Health Minister.
Aligning with Ka Ting?
Liow also said he can work with anyone chosen by the 2,000 party delegates and was not aligned to any one of the three factions that had emerged.
His answers to questions on this, however, indicated that he would be within former president Ong Ka Ting's camp.
When asked whether he supported Ka Ting's wish to strengthen the party, Liow said he also harbours the same intention and does not want the party to split as it had done before.
“I want to ensure the party is united and is strong again, as one,” he said.
Asked about his relationship with incumbent party president Ong Tee Keat, Liow reiterated that he was a team player and is able to work with anyone.
Youth chief Wee, when met after the press conference, said he personally supports Liow's candidacy, as the latter is a fresh face in the central committee and a former Youth leader.
Wee: time to rejuvenate MCA
He also called on all young party members to support the younger generation at the party elections on March 28, saying it was time for renewal in the party and for 'young' candidates like Liow to take
up top leadership positions.
"I will give my full support to him (Liow). This is part of the party's rejuvenation and we need to see more young leaders come up.
"In fact, I would like to appeal to the delegates in this forthcoming elections to give more chances to the young, dynamic and capable candidates from among the CC or VP (vice-presidents) to get elected," he was reported by Bernama as saying.
Wee (second from left), who is deputy education minister, said he was glad to see young and capable candidates like Liow coming forward to contest this time.
Liow, was briefly appointed to the No 2 post after the October extraordinary meeting rejected a motion to reinstate Dr Chua Soi Lek as deputy president. The latter, however, was reinstated by the Registrar of Societies.
Chua, will announce his candidacy later today at 3pm, where he is expected to go for the No 1 post. He will face off against former and present presidents Ka Ting and Ong Tee Keat.
Chua’s running mate will likely be Kong Cho Ha, who is also the Perak MCA chief.
courtesy of Malaysiakini
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