MCA - A spanner in the works?

AND the news gets worse. First, it was rumours that a person with a sullied reputation will challenge the incumbent presidency of the MCA.

Then, out of the blue, a former president - with the reputation of leading the party into ignominy in the last general election and who later quit and left the party in shambles - makes the incredulous decision to come back with the equally shocking reason that it would be "selfish if I stayed out."

Reactions from various quarters to the news that Ong Ka Ting was attempting a political return have been mixed, to say the least. Mixed, that is, in the degree of scathing remarks, expletives and fury at the news.

But one national daily made an exception. It even inferred that his return was akin to 'healing the crisis' in the party.

Unfortunately, the blessing by that daily is as good as kissing his chances goodbye because of its political affiliations.

But the reaction from readers from various web-based news portals weren't too flattering.

"You mean he's coming out to sink the party again? Great! MCA will have no seats left after next GE," was one screamer.

"Irresponsible snake! Left MCA when the going was tough, and now when the party is in turmoil, wants to take advantage of the situation and revive his sunken political fate!

"Snakes will always be snakes!" went another.

And these are some of the more polite ones. I was tempted to put an exclamation mark at the end of the previous sentence, but it would have made it look and sound like an expletive!

Double cross and triple cross

Some political observers see Ka Ting's move as a spanner in the works for former deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek who

Liow...his faction created the right environment for Ka Ting's return

resigned from his post after being promised support from former vice-president Liow Tiong Lai and Youth Chief Wee Ka Siong.

But apparently all was not kosher with the deal.

Chua was apparently taken aback that Liow's faction had, in fact, created the right environment for Ka Ting's return, thereby hoping to checkmate the presidential bid of both incumbent Ong Tee Keat and Chua.

That's a stab, and then, be stabbed in the back yourself.

Chua had not figured that Ka Ting would attempt a comeback from what is said to be an "honourable retirement."

This has put paid to his plans and he has now to rethink his strategies while hopping mad that he has to start and revaluate the situation all over again.

One insider believes that Chua needs to re-look his strategies but , given Chua's 'never admits defeat' character, I believe he will still go for the top post.

Tee Keat has sizeable loyalists

One Liow supporter says Chua would not get into a battle that he thinks he will not win.

Well, so thought George Foreman when he took on Muhammad Ali and lost the heavyweight championship...much to his and the world's utter amazement.

While it is said that Chua has strong grassroots support, one observer believes that unless the former deputy is pushed to the wall, he will not face Ka Ting head-on.

But one factor has to be taken into computation. Tee Keat commands about 20% of the 2,300 central delegates.

This is roughly translated into some 500 who are still loyal to him. And as the campaign trail hits the road, the numbers are sure to grow with increasing sympathy for the under siege chief.

And this can be vital if it comes down to a three-horse race at the end of the day.

Was the party's interest considered?

And the question that delegates must ask themselves is: "Shouldn't the incumbent be allowed the time, and grace to finish his task and plans first?"

Shouldn't have Ka Ting consulted with the reigning president, if he really had the party's interest at hand before jumping onto the political band wagon?

Ka Ting had declared on Tuesday that he could have "taken the easy way out" and stayed out because he could be facing a potentially embarrassing situation should he fail to win the presidency.

But, it is more likely, that he has already embarrassed himself by not keeping to his pledge to remain in honourable retirement and ignominy.

The immediate winners may, after all, be the opposition, if Tee Keat loses. - Malaysian Mirror