Yesterday, MCA leader Dr Chua Soi Lek vented his views on the much anticipated return of MCA’s ex-president Ong Ka Ting. Chua expressed that unlike many other MCA members, he did not think Ka Ting’s return would do any good, and, in fact, may create more trouble for the party.

He said that the party had already accepted Ka Ting’s retirement from politics after the last general election and for him to come back would be against his (Ka Ting’s) stand.

What Chua refuses to accept is that Ka Ting has already taken full responsibility for MCA’s performance and kept his promise when he stepped down after the March 8, 2008 general elections He did not break his word.

Today, the party is facing a struggle of a totally different nature. It is an internal crisis that has arisen because of the warring factions and power-hungry attitudes within the party. Ka Ting’s return is, therefore, not contradicting his own stand, as alleged by Chua.

If Chua insists on seeing it as such, we must then ask: ‘Did he not do the same thing when he stepped down after his ‘acting’ stint and then returned?’

Chua also accused Ka Ting of remaining silent ‘when the party was going through a serious crisis’ and only coming forward now to offer help. But what would he have Ka Ting do?

When Ka Ting stepped down, he relegated his duties to the team of Ong Tee Keat and Chua. They were entrusted with the party and its members. When cracks started to appear in the team, and things started to fall apart, Ka Ting upheld the respect that he had for them and the party’s systems and refused to impose himself. When he gave up his post he also honourably left behind his right to interrupt due processes.

He also truly believed that his successors were more than able to handle the crisis. Who would have thought that this would prove so differently and that it would endanger the party?

Now that fresh elections are being called and after many pleas and urgent calls for his return, Ka Ting is considering this rightful and democratic avenue. Why should it surprise anyone? He has every right, legally and ethically, to stand for elections.

He is not resorting to bully tactics nor is he overstepping his boundaries. While any intervention before would have been seen as interference, his participation in the upcoming elections is his way of accepting his duty to the party by listening to the calls of its members.

So, Dr Chua please understand and admit that the reason the party is involved in a crisis in the first place is because of your and Tee Keat’s hijinks. We will afford you your right to stand for elections, but you should be wary about pointing your tainted fingers at others.